Every Picture Tells a Story

Grapeland Duo Busted For Burglary / Theft 

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

HOUSTON COUNTY – Hall-of-Fame rocker Rod Stewart once crooned, “Every picture tells a story.” It’s doubtful, however, he was singing about the photos which led to the arrest of a pair of Grapeland residents.

Andrea Nicole Bennett, 29, was taken into custody on Wednesday, Aug. 7 while Kelry De Shun Dailey, 25, was taken into custody on Thursday, Aug. 8 after they were both photographed burglarizing a building near the intersection of CR 2120 and CR 2159.    

According to affidavits of probable cause, Houston County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies were dispatched to the rural area between Grapeland and Latexo in reference to a burglary of a habitation as well as the theft of a Polaris ATV.

Once the deputies arrived at the location, the law enforcement officials were informed a Polaris Ranger ATV, two Stihl chainsaws, one Stihl hedge trimmer and one Stihl leaf blower were taken from a building on the property without the property owner’s consent.

It was also learned photographs existed which showed a male and female suspect “… removing the ATV and other items from the location.”

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The female was identified was identified as Andrea Nicole Bennett while the male was identified as Kelry Deshun Dailey.

HCSO Deputy Thomas Shafer traveled to a residence on Reta Street in Grapeland where it was believed Bennett was located. The deputy made contact with Bennett who “… admitted to being near the property.”

She also confirmed the second person in the photos was Dailey. Bennett was arrested, transported to the Houston County Jail and booked into custody on one count of burglary of a habitation as well as one count of theft of property.

HCSO Sgt. Mike McCreight traveled to a residence in the 300 block of Orange Street in Grapeland where he located Dailey. Bennett was also arrested, transported to the Houston County Jail and booked into custody on one count of burglary of a habitation as well as one count of theft of property.  

The burglary charge is considered as a second degree felony while the theft charge is considered as a state jail felony.

According to Section 12.33 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the second degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 20 years or less than two years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the second degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.”

A state jail felony is punishable by a term of incarceration in a state jail facility by a term of between 180 days and two years, along with a fine of up to $10,000.

As of press time, both Bennett and Dailey were still being held at the Houston County Jail. Bonds were set at $25,000 apiece.       

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].