Stolen iPad Tracking Leads Montgomery County Deputies to Federal Bank Robbery Suspect in New Caney

NEW CANEY, TX -- On July 7, 2026, Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable Deputies responded to the 18000 block of Eaton Mill Drive in New Caney after a victim reported that items stolen from his vehicle in Harris County were being tracked to that area. The victim told deputies that an iPad taken during the burglary was showing at a house on Eaton Mill Drive. Deputies went to the house and made contact with a resident.

While at the house, deputies also noticed a vehicle on the property. When deputies checked Flock camera information, that vehicle was shown to have been in the area of the Harris County burglary around the time the burglary occurred. That information helped deputies continue following the trail of the stolen property and deputies were able to recover the stolen iPad from the vehicle, along with several tools that had also been taken from the victim and possibly others.

During the investigation, deputies also encountered a male who arrived at the house and initially provided a fake name. He was later identified as Michael Austin. Austin was found to have multiple active warrants, including a federal bank robbery warrant out of Illinois, a felony pardon and parole warrant, and a felony family violence warrant from Harris County. Austin was taken into custody without incident.

Montgomery County Precinct 4 is continuing to coordinate with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office as the investigation remains active.

“This is a great example of how technology and investigations work together to protect our community,” said Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden. “Flock cameras helped give deputies important information, which helped lead to the recovery of stolen property and the arrest of a wanted person.”

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