Here's a daily list of crimes across North Texas compiled on March 20, 2009.
DALLAS POLICE ARREST SUSPECTED SERIAL RAPIST
Dallas police arrest a man in connection with two sexual assaults in Northeast Dallas. Investigators say the man may be linked to 3 assaults in the area.The victims, aged 12 to 14, are all Hispanic females. In two of the three cases the victims were at home alone. In the third case the suspect may have used a key to enter and was inside the apartment when the victim came home from school. The suspect is in custody on an unrelated case and his name will not be released until Aggravated Sexual Assault charges have been filed.
HOMELESS MAN GUILTY IN DEATH OF WOMAN WHO FED HIM
A homeless man accused of fatally stabbing a woman who had fed him has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty.
John William Franks was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty last week. The 28-year-old would be eligible for parole after 30 years. Click here to read this story on NBCDFW.com.
GUN PACKING CLERK SENDS THIEVES RUNNING
Fort Worth police are searching for two armed men who attempted to rob a 99 Cent Store. The men entered the store located in the 5700 block of Lovell Thursday night at about 8:35 p.m. after they shot out the front glass door, police said. The thieves then pointed a handgun at an employee behind the counter, and demanded money. The clerk grabbed his own gun and crouched behind the counter, firing several shots at the thieves. The men fled the store. It's unknown whether either man was hit. The store clerk was not injured.
MAN JUMPS OFF BRIDGE WEARING BIRTHDAY BALLOONS
A man with "Happy Birthday" balloons tied to his waist jumped off a bridge Friday morning, Fort Worth police said. An officer spotted the man standing at the edge of the bridge in the 7800 block of Northwest Loop 820. As the officer stopped to do a double take the man quickly let go of the railing, plunging into Lake Worth below and disappearing in the dark water, police said. The 40-year old man's body was recovered within an hour, police said. Investigators said it is unknown whether today was his birthday or why he made the choice for this to be his last day.
VANDALS LEAVE DRIVERS ON FLAT IN LEWISVILLE
Lewisville police are looking for the person responsible for slashing dozens of car tires Sunday in the parking lot of the Oak Forest Apartments on Highway 121. Police said 26 different people reported that one or more of their tires had been slashed. Police estimated the damage at almost $4,000.
DALLAS COUNTY DEPUTY TO PLEAD GUILTY IN DRUG CASE
Federal prosecutors say a veteran Dallas County sheriff's deputy has agreed to plead guilty for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy. The U.S. Attorney's Office said Friday that 36-year-old Standric Choice is expected to formally enter his plea next week. Click here to read this story on NBCDFW.com.