Houston Police Department

February 15, 2007 -- Charges have been filed against two suspects arrested for transmitting on several HPD radio frequencies without authorization.

Michael Thomas McCollum (w/m, DOB 3-6-62), is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm while Larry A. Lewis (w/m, DOB 8-19-86) is charged with felony theft. Both suspects are charged in the 351st State District Court.

HPD officers from the Westside, Southeast and Major Offenders Divisions, along with investigators with the Federal Communications Commission, were able to arrest two suspects who had been transmitting over several HPD radio frequencies without authorization. The suspects routinely made racist and vulgar comments on HPD frequencies, causing major interference. Over the course of several months and long hours of investigation, HPD and FCC investigators were able to identify the suspects.

Suspect McCollum was followed from his home and observed talking on a modified ham radio while driving on Beechnut. Shortly thereafter, during a second transmission, FCC investigators, with the use of radio-direction finding equipment, were able to positively identify the vehicle from which the signals were being transmitted. McCollum was stopped and taken into custody in the 3600 block of Chimney Rock about 8 a.m. on Monday (February 12). In addition to the ham radio, officers discovered a firearm and two pairs of handcuffs in his vehicle.

A short while later, Lewis, who was also being followed under the same suspicion, was stopped at the same location and found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle.

Additional charges are being pursued through the federal courts.

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.