Daily Police Blotter

Here's a daily list of recent activities drawing the attention of North Texas law enforcement. List compiled on Feb. 4, 2009.

ANOTHER 'SCARECROW BANDIT' GETS LONG SENTENCE
Another member of the "Scarecrow Bandits" gang of bank robbers has received a long prison sentence. Antonyo Reece, 32, has been sentenced to a total of 140 years in federal prison without parole for his part in three Dallas-Fort Worth-area bank heists in 2008. He and four others were found guilty in August on multiple bank robbery and weapons charges for at least 21 North Texas holdups. Two others had pleaded guilty. The group stole more than $300,000 in their series of bank holdups. They were called "Scarecrow Bandits" because of loose shirts and floppy hats worn during some of the first robberies.

18-YEAR-OLD KILLED IN DALLAS CRASH
An 18-year-old was killed after his sport utility vehicle slammed into a concrete bridge pillar in Dallas on Thursday morning. Police said Carlos Gonzalez lost control of his vehicle as he was trying to merge with traffic near Canada Drive and Sylvan Avenue. Police said slick roads may be to blame for the crash.

8 APARTMENTS DESTROYED IN FIRE
A fire destroyed eight units at a North Dallas apartment complex Wednesday night. Firefighters said flames were shooting from the first floor of the two-story Knob Oak Apartments in the 9100 block of Forest Lane when they arrived. The fire then quickly spread to the roof, firefighters said. One person was treated for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

CIGARETTE THIEVES STRIKE AT 7-ELEVEN TWICE
Arlington police said two men stole packages of cigarettes from a 7-Eleven store two times this week, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Police said the men walked behind the counter of the store on Park Springs Boulevard to grab the cigarettes early Thursday morning. A similar theft was reported at the same story early Sunday morning. A clerk was in the store during each incident, but was not harmed. Anyone with information on the thefts should call Detective Sammy Phillips at 817-459-6054 or Crimestoppers at 817-469-TIPS.

FORT WORTH FIREFIGHTER ACCUSED OF DWI
A Fort Worth firefighter was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Tuesday night in Bedford, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Police said Shea Oneill, 37, crashed his truck into the back of a car that had stopped in the westbound lanes of Airport Freeway because of heavy traffic. No injuries were reported. Oneill, who was hired by the Fort Worth Fire Department in September 2002, will continue to work pending the outcome of an internal investigation. He is free on $1,500 bail.

DUNCANVILLE STUDENT ACCUSED OF BRINGING GUN TO SCHOOL
A Duncanville High School student was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of bringing an unloaded gun on campus. Roberto Araiza, 18, has been charged with possession of a weapon in a prohibited place. School officials received an anonymous tip to a Crime Stoppers hotline about a weapon on school grounds. Duncanville police said a gun was found in Araiza's backpack. Last week, a 16-year-old student allegedly brought a loaded gun to school in his backpack. Both students have been expelled.

POSSIBLE COPPER THIEF ELUDES COPPERS
A Denton police said an officer confronted a suspected copper thief trying to break into a power substation, but the man got away. Police said the power substations on North Locust Street, Pockrus Page Road and East Hickory Creek have all been broken into and have all had copper stolen from the grounds. Police said they believe the thief is a professional based on how the copper cable was cut. Read this story on NBCDFW.com.

Contact Us