An investigation into the theft of a travel trailer by police and deputies in Hardin County has resulted in the seizure of almost four pounds of methamphetamine and the arrest of a Southeast Texas man and woman on drug charges.
Samantha Thomas, 32, of Buna, was arrested on Tuesday, February 6, 2017, and Robert Deckert, 34, of Kountze, was arrested on Sunday, February 11, 2017, according to a release from the Hardin County Sheriff's Office.
Deckert was charged with two counts of "felony drug possession," "felony theft," "felony evading detention" and "misdemeanor drug possession" according to the release.
He was released from the Hardin County Jail on a $30,750 bond the release said.
Thomas was charged with "possession with intent to deliver a felony amount of methamphetamine" and posted a $55,000 bond on those charges in Hardin County the release said.
She was released on the bond into the custody of deputies with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for transport to the Orange County jail on an outstanding warrant for drug charges the release said.
A jailer at the Orange County confirmed that Thomas is currently in the Orange County Jail on those charges where her bond has not yet been set.
She is also wanted on evading arrest charges in Jefferson County according to the release.
Initially Hardin County Deputies, Lumberton Police officers and officers with the Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force were investigating the theft of a travel trailer from a Rose City dealership according to the release.
Hardin County deputies and task force officers located the trailer along with a pound of methamphetamine and a large amount property they believe to have been stolen from the Southeast Texas area on Tuesday, February 6, 2017, in the 10000 block of Gordon Lane north of Silsbee the release said.
Multiple guns, a car, motorcycle and electronics were also recovered with the trailer.
Lumberton Police located Deckert, who was suspected to be directly involved in the theft of the trailer, riding a motorcycle on Sunday, February 11, 2017 and attempted to detain him but he fled the release said.
After leading Lumberton officers on a chase Deckert wrecked the motorcycle and was arrested after officers found him in possession of nearly two pounds of methamphetamine according to the release.
He was first treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital.
Multiple agencies continue to investigate as Deckert is suspected of trafficking in stolen guns and other property.
The Hardin County Sheriff's Office has asked for assistance with the investigation from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives because the suspects could possibly face federal charges according to the release.
(NOTE: A previous version of this story said that nearly four pounds of meth were seized. The wording of a press release was unclear in the amount.)