Here's a daily list of recent activities drawing the attention of North Texas law enforcement. List compiled on Oct. 12, 2009.
TRACTOR-TRAILER CATCHES FIRE ON STEMMONS FREEWAY
Two northbound lanes of Stemmons Freeway were closed during Monday morning's rush hour when a tractor-trailer caught fire at Hi Line Drive, just north of the American Airlines Center in uptown Dallas. Firefighters said the engine caught fire and the driver pulled over and escaped the cab safely. Firefighters were able to put the fire out quickly, but not before NBCDFW.com users snapped photos of flames and black smoke.
DPD SHUFFLES DETECTIVES TO HANDLE SURGE IN VIOLENT CRIME
The Dallas police homicide unit is overwhelmed after a violent weekend added eight new cases since Friday, police said Monday. Supervisors have pulled detectives from other units to make sure all of the cases -- four suicides and four homicides -- are properly investigated. Click here to read more on NBCDFW.com and watch a video report.
TEEN ACCUSED OF BEATING MOTHER
Johnson County officials said a Joshua teenager has been arrested in connection with the beating of his mother. Officers found the 51-year-old woman severely beaten at a home on County Road 706 on Monday afternoon. The woman's daughter said her 17-year-old brother attacked their mother. The teenager was later found in Fort Worth after he was hit by another car when he tried fleeing from a car wreck. The mother was taken to a hospital in extremely critical condition. The teenager was also taken to hospital.
OWNER OF CHECK-CASHING STORE SHOT, KILLED
Dallas police are searching for a man who gunned down the owner of a check-cashing store Sunday night. Dallas police said a man robbed the Payless Check Cashing and beer and wine store on Harry Hines Boulevard. The owner, Kim Heng Lay, 42, and the robber exchanged fire, police said. Lay was struck and killed, and police said they believe the robber was struck. Another clerk and a customer were in the store at the time of the shooting, but were not injured. Police said the man fled in a green Honda four-door sedan. Click here to watch NBCDFW video report.
MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER FREED OVER TAINTED TRIAL
A convicted murderer who has been jailed for 15 years is free after Dallas prosecutors acknowledged his original trial was tainted. Richard Miles, 34, was sentenced to 40 years in prison during his 1995 trial for murder and attempted murder. He was freed on a personal recognizance bond Monday. Click here to read this story on NBCDFW.com.
COUPLE FOUND DEAD IN DALLAS APARTMENT
Dallas police are investigating the deaths of two people found inside an apartment Monday morning. According to police, the victim's mother found her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend dead inside the residence. Police said there were no signs of forced entry.
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ARLINGTON POLICE CRUISER HIT
An Arlington police officers cruiser was hit while he was investigating a crash involving an 18-wheeler on Interstate 30 at Highway 360 Sunday night. Investigators said the officer was pulled over when a car hit his cruiser from behind. The car was going slowly, so the damage was minor, police said. The officer wasn't in the cruiser when it was struck. The driver of the car suffered minor injuries. Click here to see video from the crash.
OAK CLIFF HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
Dallas police are still searching for clues in the slaying of 62-year-old Robert Wafer. Police said someone confronted Wafer in the front yard of his home in the 1200 block of Arizona Avenue, demanded money and then shot him twice. Wafer died in the yard. Witnesses told police the shooter took off in a white, 1990s model two-door Chevrolet coupe, possibly a Baretta. Wafer would have turned 63 on Thursday. Anyone with information is asked to call Dallas Homicide. Click here to watch the NBCDFW video report, including reaction from Wafer's family members.
MAN FOUND SHOT TO DEATH IN DALLAS HOME
Dallas police are investigating the death of a man inside his home on Stokes Street. Police said friends discovered the man's body at about midnight. The victim was shot several times. Detectives said they do not have a motive or information about a suspect.
