Town employee jailed for theft

A town of Flomaton public works employee was arrested and charged with theft and using his position for personal gain after being accused to stealing copper tubing and edging blades that belonged to the town.

Travis Emile Owens, 22, 101 Liles St., East Brewton, was charged with theft of property III, two counts of theft of property IV and using his position for personal gain.

According to Flomaton Police Chief Chance Thompson, on April 14 public works employees began to recognize irregular and suspicious activity from Owens. Utilities Superintendent Shaun Moye contacted the police department in reference to locating a bag that contained copper tubing that was placed at one of the town's water tower locations.

A check on security cameras showed Owens had loaded a bag into his work vehicle and took the bag to the water tower, located on Highway 31.

Police located the bag containing the copper tubing. Police then set up cameras to see who picked up the bag.

Thompson said Owens was viewed by a drone camera going after work hours to the water tower and retrieving the bag of copper tubing he had placed there. Owens was observed placing the bag into his vehicle and driving away.

Police initiated a traffic stop and stated they found Owens in possession of stolen town property that included the copper tubing and edging blades. Thompson said the investigation led officers to discover Owens had allegedly taken other copper tubing the day before.

Owens was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton and later released on a signature bond.

Court records state the two rolls of copper tubing were valued at $910 and the edging blades had a value of $50.

A check with town officials this week revealed Owens is no longer employed by the town.