Daily Police Blotter: Teacher Sentenced for Improper Relationship

Here's a daily list of recent activities drawing the attention of North Texas law enforcement. List compiled on Oct. 29, 2009.

FWISD TEACHER CONVICTED OF SEX WITH STUDENT
A jury handed a former Fort Worth ISD teacher and coach 180 days in jail and 10 years probation after he was convicted this week of having a sexual relationship an 18-year-old student, the Star Telegram reported. Jurors found Rudolph Anthony Garza, 29, guilty of a charge of improper relationship between an educator and a student, a second-degree felony that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Jurors also heard testimony that Garza had sex with a Dallas student five months before having sex with the Western Hills High School student.

MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING BRIDGE BEARINGS
A man who stole heavy steel pieces of a Fort Worth bridge was arrested after he sold them to a salvage yard, police said. Construction crews repairing the historic Lancaster Avenue Bridge last week reported three rocker bearings were missing, and the chain securing them to a concrete pillar had been cut. Detectives tracked the stolen steel to a recycling company within hours of the report. Click here to read this story on NBCDFW.com.

WOMAN SHOOTS HUSBAND, KILLS SELF: POLICE
Arlington police said a woman shot and killed herself after a domestic altercation with her husband. Police said she shot her husband in the leg and then barricaded herself in her home on the 1800 block of Bayou Drive. After police arrived, she fatally shot herself. The woman's husband was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. His condition is not known. So far, investigators have not revealed what led to the altercation.

TRUCK, TRAILER STOLEN WITH BABY DONKEY INSIDE
A family is asking for help after reporting their Ford F-350 stolen -- complete with a trailer and baby donkey. The family said the 6-month-old donkey needs a special diet and shelter. The family suspects the trailer and donkey were dumped in favor of stripping the truck down for parts. They are offering a reward for the return of the donkey. Click here to read this story on NBCDFW.com.

IRVING STANDOFF LOCKS DOWN NEARBY SCHOOLS
At about 11 a.m., Irving police were involved in a standoff with a man inside a residence on the 2200 block of Chandelle Thursday. U.S. Marshals attempted to serve a warrant for weapons charges, but the man ran inside and refused to come out of the residence. Police eventually dispensed tear gas into the residence and found the man hiding out in the attic. He was taken into custody without further incident.

WRONG-WAY DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER CRASH: POLICE
A 39-year-old man was arrested early Thursday morning in connection with a wrong-way crash on the Dallas North Tollway, police said. A witness called police at about 12:15 a.m. to report a black Ford F-150 truck traveling north in the southbound lanes. Police said the truck reportedly ran off the road and knocked down a streetlight and sign before ping-ponging off the walls near west Northwest Highway, investigators said. A second vehicle was damaged by the light pole, police said. Police said Dick Eastin was driving while intoxicated and did not have his headlights on. Eastin, who was alone in the vehicle, was transported to Parkland Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The crash is the sixth wrong-way crash on the Dallas North Tollway this year. Click here to watch a video report on NBCDFW.com.

TRUCK HITS MAN WALKING ON I-30: POLICE
A truck struck and critically injured a man who was walking in the traffic lanes on Interstate 30 East at about 6:15 a.m. Thursday, police said. The pickup was pulling a trailer carrying construction materials in the westbound lanes at St. Francis when it accident happened. The driver told police he attempted to avoid hitting the man, but was unable to do so. Paramedics transported the victim to Baylor. Officers said, at this point, it appears to be a pedestrian error accident and criminal charges are not likely.

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