EL CAMPO — El Campo police arrested a Wharton man this week in connection with an alleged burglary involving a coin-operated machine at a local convenience store.
According to records released by the El Campo Police Department, the original incident was reported at Quick & Easy #1, 703 E. 2nd St., following an alleged burglary that occurred Sept. 26 between about 10 and 10:30 a.m.
The case was classified as burglary of a coin-operated or coin-collection machine, a Class A misdemeanor. Police records show investigators collected six digital photographs, one digital video and body-camera footage as part of the investigation.
ECPD later obtained a warrant for 28-year-old Lamar Reginald McKnight Jr. of Wharton in connection with the case.
An officer located McKnight around 2:15 p.m. Sept. 29 while patrolling the 900 block of Flax Avenue, according to a separate arrest report. The officer recognized McKnight from previous encounters and knew he had an active warrant related to the burglary investigation.
Police said McKnight was taken into custody on the warrant.
According to the arrest report, while the officer was placing McKnight in handcuffs, McKnight allegedly dropped a green leafy substance onto the ground. Police collected the substance and later reported it weighed 0.059 ounces.
McKnight was additionally charged with possession of marijuana under 2 ounces.
McKnight was booked into the Wharton County Jail on Sept. 30. Jail records later showed he posted bond and was released. His bond was set at $2,500 on the burglary charge and $500 on the marijuana possession charge.
The records released by ECPD do not explain how investigators identified McKnight as the suspect or whether money was allegedly taken from the machine.
Charges are allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Source: El Campo Police Department incident and arrest reports.
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