An 81-year-old Harris County widow who said she paid a repairman hundreds of dollars to fix her furniture and never got it back is closer to getting answers after the man who originally picked up her furniture was arrested and charged with misdemeanor theft.
Shirley West contacted 2 Helps You with claims of a repairman who took her chair and ottoman in April of 2025, along with several hundred dollars for the repairs only to never return them.
West also filed her own criminal complaint with law enforcement.
In a 2 Helps You report from earlier this month, we clearly showed how the Office of Harris County Constable Precinct 4 initially tried to present charges to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, but prosecutors declined to accept them.
West questioned the DA’s office as to why the case was not being pursued.
“I would like to ask them if somebody takes something from you and never brings it back – is that not criminal?” West said in an Oct. 7 interview.
The case began moving forward again after that report.
Investigators from the constable’s office ultimately were able to file charges.
On October 9th, Rickey Pierson was arrested during a traffic stop.
Court records show Pierson was charged with misdemeanor theft involving $2,155.
As for West’s furniture? The charging complaint states Pierson was unable to provide a location for the items.
Jonathan Zitzmann with the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office said Pierson appeared surprised by the arrest, “He was surprised because he didn’t see it coming and my gut tells me he’s also been doing this for a while,” Zitzmann said.
Zitzmann confirmed charges were filed on Oct. 7 and Pierson was arrested a couple of days later.
He also acknowledged that the 2 Helps You investigation played a role in bringing renewed attention to the case.
When asked whether the initial reporting prompted a reassessment of the case? “Oh sure, I think there was certainly a review of the decisions that were made, and a reassessment of what the case details were and fortunately we were able to show that indeed it was a criminal matter,” Zitzmann said.
Zitzmann also made it clear that investigators believe others were impacted, “My gut tells me that the victim we have identified is not going to be the only victim that we are going to locate,” Zitzmann said.
Anyone who believe they may have had a similar experience is encouraged to contact the Precinct 4 Constables Office at 281-376-3472.
Our reports start because of an email or phone call to 2 Helps You. Remember, we should never be your first call but we don’t mind being your last.
