June 5, 2025

Local Man Charged with Theft of Rare Firearms in College Station

News Summary

Stephen Eric Brown, a 37-year-old man, faces charges for stealing 42 rare firearms from a College Station residence and selling them at auction. Homeowners reported missing valuables after allowing Brown to stay at their home. Investigators linked him to the auction sales, leading to his arrest with a bond set at $80,000. Other recent incidents in College Station include several arrests for drug offenses and firearm theft, highlighting ongoing crime concerns in the area.

Navasota – A local man, Stephen Eric Brown, 37, has been charged with the theft of rare firearms from a College Station residence and subsequently selling them at an auction. The allegations are a result of a police investigation that began in April 2024 after homeowners reported several valuable items missing from their property.

The homeowners, who had allowed Brown to move into their home while he and his family were in a transitional period, discovered after his departure that they had lost numerous belongings, including 42 firearms. The items reported stolen also included collectible coins and jewelry. Following the theft report, investigators linked Brown to the sale of multiple firearms at Austin Auction Gallery, where he had been employed.

Authorities confirmed that at least four firearms sold through the auction matched the serial numbers of the stolen items reported by the homeowners. This evidence led to Brown’s arrest; he was taken into custody and booked into the Brazos County Jail on a Tuesday, with bonds set at $80,000. The police investigation is still ongoing, as authorities continue to gather information related to the case.

In a separate incident, police executed a search warrant on Autumn Circle in College Station, resulting in the arrests of James Toney, 47, and Neiandra Washington, 51, for drug-related offenses. Toney received multiple charges, including Theft of Firearm and two counts of Manufacturing/Delivering Controlled Substance, while Washington was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance. All drug offenses face enhanced penalties given their classification within a drug-free zone.

Further arrests in College Station included Juan Figueroa Ramos, 20, who was apprehended for stealing a firearm from a 71-year-old citizen and for possessing marijuana and a controlled substance, both of which were discovered in a drug-free zone. Ramos currently remains in custody with bonds totaling $15,000.

Additionally, police stopped Ja mar Jessie, 20, for a minor traffic infraction and found that he was in possession of a stolen firearm, leading to his arrest.

In local news unrelated to the firearms incidents, construction is set to commence on Texas A&M’s west campus for a $5.8 million project aimed at improving Penberthy Road. The project is expected to be completed in time for the upcoming fall semester. Meanwhile, Brazos County commissioners have approved a renovation project for the administration building costing $17 million, addressing both environmental concerns and necessary structural improvements.

Further criminal activities in the area include the arrest of two individuals, Anthony Tijerina and Benjamin Lopez, by Bryan police for assaulting a man and stealing his vehicle, with Tijerina facing multiple felony charges. College Station police also detained three gang members during a traffic stop for possessing firearms, one of whom was charged with having a fully automatic handgun.

Furthermore, a Grimes County man, Christopher Michael Reyes, was jailed for family violence assault involving three victims, with a total bond of $15,000. In another case, Marquise Shields, 23, was arrested for vehicle burglary and was found in possession of a stolen firearm, facing multiple charges, including Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

These incidents highlight the ongoing issues regarding firearms and property crimes in the area as police continue their efforts to maintain safety and address these concerns.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

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