Authorities in Collin County, Texas, have brought two individuals into custody, following an in-depth probe into a string of high-value thefts that struck the community. The criminal activities, as uncovered by the Collin County Sheriff's Office, involved an estimated quarter of a million dollars in losses across multiple counties. According to a press release by the Collin County Sheriff's Office, the tip of this complex theft iceberg was at a mechanic shop outside Anna, Texas, owned by Brian Holgate, where several vehicle thefts began coming to light in August of 2024.
Raised suspicion was when the investigators made contact with the vehicles' registered owners, discrepancies were apparent. Holgate, it seemed, had been allegedly using his customers' vehicles for his own gain, taking them without consent to either strip for parts or sell, all the while filing false stolen vehicle reports. Around mid-2025, the investigation's net widened, capturing a second suspect, Calvin McGowen, believed to be an accomplice in the thefts and targeting several storage facilities across the region.
The detectives carried out search warrants at various properties linked to Holgate and McGowen, finding evidence of their connection to the thefts at a storage facility in Collin County and to further criminal activities in Grayson County. Booked into custody, the two McKinney residents face numerous felony charges, including engaging in organized criminal activity, theft of property over $30,000 but less than $150,000, and theft of property over $2,500 but less than $30,000.
Emphasizing the scale of their operation, the Sheriff's Office has described the investigation as active and ongoing. They and their fellow law enforcers in neighboring jurisdictions remain dedicated to uncovering the full extent of related crimes. And they are bending their efforts towards unearthing more victims that may have fallen prey to Holgate and McGowen's alleged criminal endeavors. The community's assistance is solicited, with Investigator Tristan Varvil as the point of contact for anyone harboring potentially relevant information.
