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Olney police bust 3 for drugs, burglary

A complaint about a neighbor stealing water turned into drug and burglary arrests for an Olney man and two women, Olney police reports show. On March 16, Olney Police Detective Dustin Hudson was dispatched to 1007 W. Payne to investigate a call about water theft and discovered a water hose leading from the house into the backyard of 1005 W Payne, according to a police report. Det. Hudson followed the hose and found that it led into a window of 1005 W. Payne St., the report said. Police obtained a search warrant for fire, health, and safety code violations for not having running water or sewage and to confirm that the water hose was being used for the theft of water, Police Chief Dan Birbeck said. Police returned the next day to search the home of Smith, a convicted sex offender, and Willoughby. As police arrived at the home, Charity Heath, 37, was leaving and informed him that Alton Smith, 34, and Tracey Willoughby, 35, were asleep inside, the report said.

Rangers investigate Young County jail death

The Texas Rangers were investigating two deaths last week in Young County, the Department of Public Safety said in a statement. The Rangers and Olney Police were investigating the death of an 8-month-old infant who died at the Over Yonder RV Park in Olney. Olney police were called to the scene at 5:29 a.m. on March 29, police said. The child was taken to Olney Hamilton Hospital, where it was pronounced dead, police said. An autopsy to determine the cause of death was ordered by Judge Jason Hearne Justice of the Peace Pct.#1 and results are pending, police said. The Rangers were called to Young County Jail on March 21 to investigate the death of 31-yearold Brandon Taylor of Mineral Wells. Mr. Taylor was found unresponsive in his private cell and jail staff immediately began their attempt to revive him, the statement said. Local emergency medical services arrived and transported him to Graham Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival, the statement said. Mr. Taylor had been in custody on felony charges since September of 2022, DPS said.

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