Man stole box load of cell phones, resold some, police say

Willis Irving, 34, charged with theft

SAN ANTONIO – Willis Irving, 34, is suspected of stealing a box load of cell phones meant for a Cricket Wireless store, then reselling some of those phones.

He was arrested Wednesday on a charge of theft.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the case came to light after an unsatisfied customer contacted police. She told investigators that she bought two cell phones from Irving and within hours of having them activated, saw her phone service shut down due to the phones being stolen.

The affidavit said that the woman then began working with police, helping to set up a phony deal to buy more phones from Irving. That deal is what helped police, ultimately, to arrest him.

Police believe Irving somehow intercepted a shipment of cell phones headed for a Cricket Wireless store. The affidavit said that his signature was on the delivery order, and that he took possession of a box containing 26 phones, worth more than $2,600.

Investigators, so far, have recovered only the four phones which the woman bought from Irving, the affidavit stated.


About the Author:

Katrina Webber joined KSAT 12 in December 2009. She reports for Good Morning San Antonio. Katrina was born and raised in Queens, NY, but after living in Gulf Coast states for the past decade, she feels right at home in Texas. It's not unusual to find her singing karaoke or leading a song with her church choir when she's not on-air.