Here's a daily list of recent activities drawing the attention of North Texas law enforcement. List compiled on Sept. 1, 2009.
INVESTIGATORS SEIZE 10-FOOT TALL POT PLANTS
The Parker County Sheriff's Department said investigators found 10-foot tall marijuana plants growing outside a Weatherford home. Deputies said they seized 201 plants that were growing on a two-acre property in the 100 block of Horseshoe Trail. Investigators said the plants ranged in height from 4 feet to 10 feet. Click here to read more on NBCDFW.com.
FAMILY OF MAN KILLED AFTER TASER STUNNING SUES FORT WORTH
The parents of a Fort Worth man who died after police used a Taser on him are suing the city. Michael Jacobs Jr. died April 18 after Cpl. Stephanie Phillips used a Taser to subdue him. The suit claims Phillips used excessive force and that the city failed to properly train her how to use a stun gun. The family is seeking more than $75,000 in damages from Fort Worth. Last week, the Tarrant County medical examiner ruled Jacobs' death a homicide.
1 KILLED IN CHAIN-REACTION CRASH
Grand Prairie police said one person was killed in a deadly four-vehicle crash Tuesday night. Police originally said the chain-reaction crash in the 1200 block of South Belt Line Road began with a hit-and-run at about 8:45 p.m. The driver of the Honda Accord that allegedly began the crash told police a black pickup truck hit his car and then fled the scene, but investigators said there was no damage to the Accord that would match the driver's account. Marcos Alvarez Ambriz, 23, of Grand Prairie, died in the crash, after he spun out of control and crossed into the northbound lanes of Belt Line Road after the Accord collided with him. Ambriz's vehicle was struck on the driver's side by another vehicle. The driver of that car, a woman, was critically injured and was remained in the hospital Wednesday afternoon.
HIGH-RISK SEX OFFENDER HAS TARRANT COUNTY TIES
Officials say a man wanted in connection with the rape of an 11-year-old girl at a wedding anniversary celebration in Oklahoma City is a high-risk registered sex offender and illegal immigrant. Oklahoma City police say 33-year-old Melvin Urbina is a suspect in the July 25 rape at the Imperial Restaurant Banquet Hall. According to court records, Urbina was convicted of sexual assault in Tarrant County in 1999, and was required to register as a lifetime sex offender. Finding no evidence that Urbina had registered as a sex offender in Oklahoma, officials charged him in federal court Aug. 19 with failing to register. Police say Urbina has relatives in Mexico and Honduras and suspect he has fled Oklahoma.
FIRE DAMAGES FRAC EQUIPMENT AT GAS WELL SITE IN JOSHUA
More than $8 million in equipment was destroyed in a fire at a gas well site in Joshua overnight. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office got the call at around 11:15 p.m., when deputies arrived they found some equipment used in the fracing process was on fire. All employees on site were accounted for. The site is operated by Chesapeake, but the equipment belongs to and was operated by a sub-contractor. The initial investigation finds the fire started near a piece of equipment called a blender. In all 10 local fire departments responded to the fire. The truck fire was contained completely on the pad site and there were no injuries. Click here to watch the video report on NBCDFW.com.
ARLINGTON POLICE SEARCH FOR FEMALE BANK ROBBER
Arlington police officers need help finding a woman suspected of robbing an Arlington bank Tuesday afternoon. A woman walked into the Wachovia Bank at 101 East I-20 at about 4:10 p.m., approached a counter and passed the teller a note demanding money. The woman was given an undisclosed amount of money and left the bank. Police released surveillance photos of the woman. She is approximately 5’6” tall and around 170 pounds. During the robbery she wore a gray T-shirt, gray sweatpants, a dark floppy hat and dark-colored flip-flops or sandals. Anyone with information should call the Arlington police department. Information about the case could lead a $1,000 reward.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
FOUR IN CUSTODY AFTER DALLAS STANDOFF
Dallas police detained four people after a standoff at a house ended peacefully following a string of armed robberies. Senior Cpl. Kevin Janse said the standoff ended late Wednesday morning when three men and a woman surrendered. Police earlier Wednesday responded to reports of several people being robbed, including six children ranging in ages from 13 to 16, in southwest Dallas. Officers then located the truck that the robbers allegedly fled in outside a home in south Dallas. Police said no shots were fired during the standoff. Click here to watch the video report on NBCDFW.com.
