February 27, 2026 - A man has been arrested following at least two reported disturbances in Shelby County alleged to have occurred on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the occurrence and that the individual Robert Rodriguez Villarreal, Jr., 45, of Dennison was arrested in Sabine County following his alleged actions in Shelby County.
According to Shelby County Sheriff Chief Deputy Mike Hanson, Shelby County Dispatch was contacted around 2:45pm when Despino’s Tire reported Villarreal was acting strangely as he entered and left the shop several times and they were concerned he had ill intentions. Villarreal left and traveled to a house on CR 1024 where he allegedly gained entry and stole a pistol. Once discovered by the homeowner, Villarreal allegedly pointed the weapon at the homeowner before eventually leaving the residence and leaving the firearm behind.
According to Chief Hanson, as agencies in Shelby County were working to determine the positive identity of Villarreal they learned of a situation in Sabine County involving an individual matching their suspect who was attempting to enter a residence there.
Villarreal was later discovered in Sabine County at a residence on U.S. Highway 96 near the San Augustine County line.
Sabine County Chief Deputy JP McDonough advised they received a call of a suspicious person off Rayburn Ridge in the southwestern corner of Sabine County right off of Lake Rayburn. A homeowner contacted the Sabine County Sheriff’s Department in reference to his home security camera capturing an individual trying doors on the house to see if they were unlocked. The homeowner contacted a neighbor, who was also a retired Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper who then engaged Villarreal in an argument which kept busy until a number of deputies arrived and took Villarreal into custody.
Robert Rodriguez Villarreal, Jr. is being held in the Sabine County Jail on a parole warrant with no bond; fail to identify false/fictitious information, $10,000 surety bond; criminal trespass, $7,500 surety bond.
Several felonies are anticipated to be filed in Shelby County.
