Here's a daily list of recent activities drawing the attention of North Texas law enforcement. List compiled on Nov. 2, 2009.
CHASE ENDS IN ANOTHER OFFICER'S BACK YARD, MISSES POOL
A short police chase ended overnight Sunday in the backyard of another officer's home. A Dallas County Sheriff's Deputy tried to pull the driver over, but instead the driver fled. While driving down Bobtown Road, the driver apparently lost control of the car and crashed though a fence at the home of another police officer. The driver was pinned inside the wreckage, so the previously sleeping Garland officer jumped in to help the deputy until the fire department arrived. The driver was removed from the car and transported to an area hospital. He is expected to recover and face several traffic violations as well as evading arrest. The driver stopped short of hitting the home and narrowly missed plunging his car into the pool.
JEWISH RESTAURANT VANDALIZED WITH NAZI GRAFFITI
A kosher Jewish restaurant in far North Dallas was vandalized with Nazi graffiti on Halloween. It will cost the owners of Natalie's Kitchen and International Market about $200 to remove a swastika and vulgar language spray painted onto the building's facade. Police have not named any suspects but did say the vandalism could be classified as a hate crime. About 90 percent of the store's customers are Orthodox Jews.
WARNING ABOUT PHONY PHONE CALLS
Residents in Kaufman reported a series of phone calls from people seeking confidential information. The callers said they were representatives from a local bank in a pre-recorded message. The message warned residents that their bank account might be suspended and asked for pin codes and confidential information. Some residents texts asking them to reset their debit card pin numbers. “If you received one of these calls and provided the information, please contact your area local bank as soon as possible,” said Pat Laney, public information officers for the sheriff’s office.
POPEYE JONES CHARGED WITH DRUNKEN DRIVING
Former Dallas Mavericks player and assistant coach Popeye Jones is free on bond after being arrested on a drunken-driving charge in Richardson on Sunday. Richardson police said Jones declined a breath test, but officers believed he was drunk. There was a minor struggle when police tried to arrest him and Jones was taken to the ground, causing minor facial cuts. Jones is charged with driving while intoxicated. Police said he won't be charged with resisting arrest. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban declined to tell the Associated Press if Jones faces any discipline.The Mavericks began their 2009-10 campaign last week.
ARLINGTON SUSPENDS CHASE AFTER OFFICER CRASHES
The driver who led police on a chase through Tarrant and Dallas counties Sunday evening remains on the run. Arlington police said the driver of the stolen car took off after being spotted along Fielder Road. Police said he caused two accidents on the city's south side. Officers called off the pursuit once it hit Dallas. A police officer was involved in a crash during the chase though no injuries were reported.
TWO FOUND DEAD AFTER DALLAS HOME INVASION
Dallas police found two people slain at a home after reports of gunshots. Lt. Craig Miller says the bodies were discovered early Monday at a house, which had signs of forced entry. Miller says someone may have tried to break into the residence and was confronted by the homeowner. Police say a man's body was discovered on the porch, after an investigation that began with a report of an alarm going off shortly before 1 a.m. Monday. Neighbors then reported hearing gunfire. Police say the woman's body was inside the house. There were no immediate arrests announced by police.
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The latest news from around North Texas.
TYLER TEEN "COMPETENT" FOR TRIAL IN TEACHER'S DEATH
A state district judge has declared a 16-year-old boy competent for trial in the fatal classroom stabbing of a special education teacher. The boy is accused of stabbing 50-year-old Todd Henry in the heart in a classroom at John Tyler High School in Tyler on Sept. 23. Defense attorney Jim Huggler told Judge Floyd Getz in Tyler on Monday that he had spent about 30 hours in discussions with his client. He said most of the boy's answers "are monosyllabic, and he doesn't understand or remember our conversation." Huggler said the Texas Youth Commission had diagnosed his client as schizophrenic in 2007 or 2008. But prosecutor Taylor Heaton said a state hospital found the boy to be "alert and oriented, and his thought process seems goal-directed" in May.
FORT WORTH POLICE SHOOT ROBBERY SUSPECT
A man suspected in multiple robberies is in critical condition after he was shot by a Fort Worth police officer Monday afternoon. Police said the officer shot the man in the shoulder during a confrontation after he was spotted in a vehicle in the 5900 block of Westcreek Drive. Officers said the man had just robbed a nearby business. Police said the man is suspected in a dozen robberies around Tarrant County.
MAN SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS IN DEATH OF UNBORN CHILD
A 23-year-old man who was indicted on a murder charge in the death of an unborn child agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors, the Dallas Morning News reported. Brian Canaday was sentenced to six years in prison for assault causing bodily injury. Police said he caused the death of the unborn child when he assaulted his pregnant girlfriend in May 2008. The fetus was stillborn.
