Latest news with #MikeGriffis
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
WATCH: ECSO assists OPD with felony traffic stop
Note: Video courtesy West Texas Oil Field Traffic Update Facebook page. ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Ector County Sheriff's Office responded to assist the Odessa Police Department with a felony traffic stop Monday afternoon, video showed. Sheriff Mike Griffis said the large police presence near University Boulevard and Alturas Avenue was in response to a stolen vehicle. Video on Facebook showed that at least one person was taken into custody. Griffis said the suspect, who has not been publicly identified, was detained by ECSO deputies and then released to OPD. We've reached out to OPD for more information and will update this story as more details become available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect crashes into ECSO unit amid high speed chase, one arrested
ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A high speed chase in Ector County ended in arrest Tuesday evening, Sheriff Mike Griffis said. According to the sheriff, deputies received a call about a person believed to be in possession of drugs. The suspect was spotted on Highway 385 and a police pursuit ensued. The chase ended when the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Carlos Omar Moreno, crashed into an ECSO vehicle and the proceeded to physically fight a deputy. While searching the vehicle, deputies reportedly found cocaine. Moreno, who was wearing a GPS ankle monitor from a previous arrest, was subdued and taken into custody. Griffis said he faces multiple charges, including evading arrest, a third-degree felony; more charges are pending. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ESD proposals pass through Commissioners
Feb. 11—The Ector County Commissioners Court met for several hours with a busy Tuesday agenda for the first meeting of February. Commissioners heard from a number of residents in favor of creating two Emergency Services Districts including Sheriff Mike Griffis. The Sheriff asked commissioners to vote in favor of allowing the ESD's to move forward and head to a May election. He said time is a factor in saving lives and those who live in the far reaches of Ector County often have a longer response time for medical emergencies. ECISD Board member Tammy Hawkins also encouraged commissioners to allow the proposals to go to voters in the county who would be taxed via property taxes for the creation and maintenance of the districts. "Minutes are lifesaving," she said. Both District 1 and District 2 passed commissioners unanimously. County Judge Dustin Fawcett took a few minutes to praise Ector County citizens who worked together to bring the matter to a vote. Commissioners are also looking at the installation of GPS and cameras in county-owned vehicles and approved an amended Interlocal Agreement by Ector County and Midland County regarding the shared plan and funding commitment for County Extension Agents. Commissioners approved Parkhill as the Owner's Representative for the Design-Build Project for the Coliseum Buildings B and C. They also approved a standard operating procedure for accidents and a proposed stormwater management plan. The court also agreed to purchase five acres of right of way on Tripp Avenue.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
Law enforcement keeping an eye on oilfield thefts in 2025
ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Oil and gas is a billion-dollar industry that has grown locally and across the globe over the decades, but recently oilfield thieves have had their eyes on profit for themselves. ABC Big 2 spoke with Ector County Sheriff, Mike Griffis about how oil field thefts are a threat to the industry – spotlighting room for concern. 'Right here in Odessa, Texas/West Texas is the oilfield. People make great, great money' said Sheriff Griffis. 'You know a 20-year-old kid making $100,000 dollars a year, easy. It's a very big presence in our area, it always has been, and I suspect it's going to get even bigger,' Griffis in the shadow of one of the largest industries, crime has taken center stage with law enforcement. 'We deal with a lot of oil field theft,' said Sheriff Griffis. And the pay day for these thieves can be large but hurt local operators in the said millions in oil field equipment was stolen last year. RELATED: More than $300K worth of stolen property recovered in Midland Co 'We seized over a million dollars of oilfield equipment, skid-steers, backhoes, tractor-trailers from an individual – a million dollars' worth of stuff from a Cuban national,' explained Griffis. That's why late last year, Congressman Tony Gonzales brought forward the 'Protect the Permian act.' This legislation would help aid law enforcement tackle the issue and give stiffer penalties on these crimes. 'If you got a federal grant that said, 'This one agent, this one deputy, their sole job is to help combat oil theft', well, now, all of a sudden, you've put the resources towards it. The 'Protect Permian Act' was issued in September of 2024 and still awaiting approval in the 2025 legislation session. Sheriff Griffis and the Ector County Sheriff's office are doing their part with the Permian Basin Oilfield Task Force to mitigate these types of crimes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
