Daily Crime Blotter

Here's a daily list of recent activities drawing the attention of North Texas law enforcement. List compiled on Aug. 18, 2009.

DALLAS POLICE SEARCH FOR POSSIBLE SERIAL RAPIST
Dallas police say a burglar in Old East Dallas may also be a serial rapist. Investigators said they believe the man is behind a six early-morning crimes in the area bordered by Central Avenue to the east, Mockingbird Lane to the north, Ross Avenue to the south and Abrams to the west. In every case, the burglar entered homes through an unlocked door or window between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., police said. In one case, a 25-year-old woman was sexually assaulted. Click here to read more on NBCDFW.com.

ONCOR UTILITY WORKERS ASSAULTED IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS
Oncor said two utility workers were assaulted Monday -- including one who was fired on by a homeowner. Click here to read more on NBCDFW.com.

TEEN GOES ON RAMPAGE WITH TRUCK
A Keller man is accused of going on a rampage with his truck, ramming three cars early Sunday and attacking another, the Star-Telegram reports. Drivers said Emilio Fernandez, 18, pulled up behind them and struck them with his truck before targeting his third victim, a woman in a Ford in a nearby parking lot. He smashed into the driver's side door and was then detained by a security guard. Fernandez posted $30,500 bail shortly after his arrest, but is expected to be charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of driving while intoxicated.

DEMENTIA SUFFERER FOUND SAFE
The search for a man suffering from dementia and leukemia is over.  Frank Rivas, Jr., 68, who went missing near his home on the 4100 block of Mt. Ranier Sunday evening, has been found alive and well.  Rivas was found at the Metro Diner on West Davis Tuesday morning.  Rivas is now back with his family.

IRVING TRACKING CREDIT UNION ROBBER
Irving police are searching for a man they say robbed the Las Colinas Federal Credit Union last week. The man fled with an undisclosed amount of cash after handing a teller a note, the Star-Telegram reports. Police described him as a Hispanic man about 6 feet tall and weighing about 250 pounds. He is said to have dark hair and was wearing glasses, a blue shirt and dark colored pants. Anyone with information on the robbery should call Irving police at 972-721-2518.

POLICE ARREST MAN IN CONNECTION WITH BUMP-RAPES
Dallas police have arrested Omar Quinonez in connection with two rapes Investigators said a man intentionally hit hit two cars and then assaulted the female drivers. Both victims told investigators the man rear-ended them and then insisted they get out and check for damage. The man then kidnapped them at knifepoint and raped them, police said. Both attacks -- one in South Dallas and one off Forest Lane near the LBJ Freeway -- happened in the early morning hours.

MUSICIAN PLEADS FOR VIOLA'S RETURN
A violin, viola and DVD player were stolen from a woman's Swiss Avenue apartment Friday ... but it's only the viola the owner is concerned with having back. Claire Garza uses the instrument to soothe patients in nursing homes and hospitals while playing with Texas Winds Musical Outreach, the Dallas Morning News reports. Garza estimates the viola is worth about $30,000 and compared the loss of it to losing her voice. "It was like my voice, and it's gone now," she told the DMN. "It's such an unfortunate thing, because it was used to do such good, such uplifting things. It's just wrong." Garza hopes the thief takes care of her instrument and returns it as soon as possible. To aid in that, firefighters at the station closest to Garza's apartment have agreed to make the station available to accept the viola on her behalf, with no questions asked.

EX-NURSING HOME EMPLOYEE GETS PRISON SENTENCE
A fired custodian accused in a 2007 standoff at a Garland nursing home in which nobody was hurt is going to prison. Earnest L. Smith, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced in Dallas to 49 years in prison for each of four aggravated kidnapping counts. Prosecutor Dewey Mitchell says Smith on Monday also was sentenced to 25 years in prison for aggravated assault. The terms will run concurrently. Smith had been a janitor at the Castle Manor Nursing home when he was fired. Days later, on April 3, 2007, Smith was accused of using a gun to hold four people at the complex hostage. Smith surrendered after about three hours. A relative claimed Smith had been mistreated on the job.
 

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