County officials continue search for arson, burglary suspects

Van Zandt County law enforcement officials announced more suspects and another arrest stemming from an ongoing arson and burglary investigation in the Rolling Oaks subdivision near the Van Zandt and Hunt County lines.

Last week, Van Zandt County Fire Marshal Chuck Allen announced that 42-year old Michael Lee Burgess had been arrested Nov. 24 for a series of charges that included child endangerment, engaging in organized crime and illegal outdoor burning. Recommended bonds for Burgess totaled $130,000.

Allen also announced that law enforcement officials were searching for a second person, identified as Roger Conroy, on charges of arson, burglary of habitation, engaging in organized crime and child endangerment. At that time, Allen noted, “Conroy is known to live in and around the Rolling Oaks subdivision. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Conroy is asked to call the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office at 903-567-4133 or Van Zandt County Crimestoppers at 903-567-7867.”

In an interview with sister paper The Quinlan-Tawakoni News, Allen added the three recent fires in Rolling Oaks under investigation were not connected to other fires in Van Zandt County including The Mountain in Canton and a business on FM 47. He said it appeared from the investigation that there were several people involved in the burglaries and subsequent burning of structures in Rolling Oaks. The Fire Marshal's Office is continuing to follow leads and will issue warrants as others are identified.

On Nov. 30, Allen added the names of Stephanie Diann Taylor and Clark Anthony Hooser Jr. to Conroy's name as suspects still being sought as part of the investigation.

Warrants for Taylor included burglary of a habitation, organized crime, and two counts of arson, while Hooser's outstanding warrants included burglary of a habitation and organized crime.

The Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office and Wills Point Police Department arrested Taylor Dec. 1 and transported her the Van Zandt County Jail. Bonds for Taylor total $85,000.

As of press time, both Burgess and Taylor were listed as current inmates at the Van Zandt County Jail.

Law enforcement officials are continuing their search of both Roger Conroy and Clark Anthony Hooser, Jr. Anyone with information in regards to the whereabouts of either Conroy or Hooser are urged to call the sheriff's office at 903-567-4133 or Van Zandt County Crimestoppers at 903-567-STOP.