Vigilance busts up a burglary

Woman gets arrested, man is still sought

A woman who spotted an unfamiliar vehicle parked at her brother’s house Thursday helped authorities arrest one woman and identify another suspect connected to a burglary.

Tahnee Thomas was driving past her brother’s house on the 2100 block of Mosley Road around 2:20 p.m. when she noticed a 2010 Chevrolet Impala, sheriff’s Commander Tim Athey said.

Thomas called her brother, and he didn’t know whom it belonged to either, Athey said.

Thomas then called authorities. Athey happened to pick up the call and spoke with Thomas as the incident unfolded.

Athey said Thomas told him, “I turned around to confront the driver. They’re robbing my brother’s house.”

Thomas approached the car in her brother’s driveway, but the driver, who was wearing a hooded sweat shirt and baseball cap, would not acknowledge her and instead drove off, Athey said.

But he left a woman who authorities suspect was his accomplice in the house, Athey said.

Thomas’ mother, who had been riding with her daughter, noticed someone in the house, Athey said.

Samantha Rovier, 31, of Crescent City, exited the house through the back door before she was met by the two women, Athey said.

“They kept her there at bay,” said Athey.

When authorities arrived they arrested Rovier on suspicion of burglary and criminal conspiracy, Athey said.

A pistol was missing from the home, but the burglary was interrupted before property that was bundled up in blankets and placed near the back door could be  taken, Athey said.

Thomas told authorities that she noticed the vehicle was full of other items, Athey said, adding that the Sheriff’s Office is working with the Brookings Police Department to learn whether the vehicle has any connection to another burglary.

The Impala was reported to Brookings Police as a suspicious vehicle by a caller on Dec. 6, Athey said.

Authorities are still seeking the Impala, which was rented from a local dealer by Rovier and its driver, Athey said.

Daniel Phillips, 26, is suspected of driving the four-door sedan with license plate number 6LUX392, Athey said.

Phillips is being sought in connection with the burglary, Athey said, adding Phillips resides on Old Mill Road.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Phillips or the car is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 464-4191.

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