Here's a daily list of recent activities drawing the attention of North Texas law enforcement. List compiled on March 18, 2010.
RETIRED DALLAS FIREFIGHTER KILLED IN DALLAS SHOOTING
Dallas police said 911 calls led them to what they suspect was a deadly carjacking attempt. Residents heard shots fired and called police when they saw a man laying in street at Beauchamp Ave. and Springview Ave. in Oak Cliff. Joseph Nelson, 56, of Lancaster was shot several times including in the hand, head and chest, he died upon arrival at Baylor University Medical Center. Investigators said it appeared someone shot Nelson while trying to carjack him, investigators said his SUV was left behind. Nelson retired from Dallas Fire-Rescue in Nov. 2009, he had been with DFR since Aug. 1977.
3 ARRESTED, 80 TOMBSTONES DAMAGED AT CEMETERY
Three Corsicana men face charges after vandalism at a cemetery damaged more than 80 tombstones and caused at least $50,000 in damage. The Navarro County Sheriff's Department says the three men, ranging in age from 19 to 21, were arrested Wednesday and face felony criminal mischief charges in excess of $20,000. Pete Goodin with the Hopewell Cemetery Association is urging volunteers to meet at the cemetery on Saturday to work on repairs. Some of the broken tombstones date to the 1800s. Detective Hank Bailey says the suspects in this month's vandalism were located based on items left at the scene, which showed evidence of a party. Bailey told the Corsicana Daily Sun that all three suspects are unemployed. Preliminary damage estimates topped $50,000, but some investigators say the destruction could add up to twice that amount.
MAN ACCUSED OF DISABLING 100 CARS OVER THE INTERNET
Police say a man fired from a Texas auto dealership used an Internet service to remotely disable ignitions and set off car horns of more than 100 vehicles sold at his workplace. Austin police arrested 20-year-old Omar Ramos-Lopez on Wednesday, charging him with felony breach of computer security. Police say Ramos-Lopez used the password of a former colleague to deactivate starters and set off car horns. Several car owners say they had to call tow trucks and were left stranded at work. The dealership installs GPS devices that can prevent cars from starting. The system is used to repossess cars when buyers are overdue on payments. Ramos-Lopez remains in the Travis County Jail with bond set at $3,000.
OKC BUSINESSMAN ARRESTED ON TEXAS WARRANTS
An Oklahoma City businessman has been arrested on federal warrants from Texas after leading police and Internal Revenue Service agents on a chase in northeast Oklahoma City. Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow says 59-year-old Clovis Prince was arrested Wednesday after crashing his car during the chase. Prince is president and CEO of Prince & Associates in Dallas. Court records show Prince was indicted in September by a federal grand jury in Texas on charges of bank fraud and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from bank fraud. Records also show he was indicted again last week for perjury and bankruptcy fraud. Wardlow says police joined the chase after Prince nearly crashed into a patrol car while being pursued by IRS agents. An IRS spokesman declined comment.
BORED KIDS ON SPRING BREAK LIKELY VANDALIZED CARS: COPS
Police say kids with cabin fever may be responsible for nearly a dozen cases of vandalism in Denton. Denton police said the vandals were probably speeding as they tossed brick pavestones at vehicles in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood. Investigators said they suspect bored kids may be behind the incidents. Because more than $500 worth of damage was done to many of the vehicles, the vandals could face Class B misdemeanor charges that are punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine. Read this story on NBCDFW.com.
TWO WOMEN IN RICHLAND HILLS ATTACKED
Richland Hills police said two women were attacked Thursday within a few hours of each other. Police said Lynn Edward Denham,44, broke into a woman's home, tied her down and sexually assaulted her. The victim told police she awoke to find a man standing over her with a knife. Police said Denham then stole her truck. A man with the same description beat and choked another woman near a TRE station a few hours earlier, police said. Police have an arrest warrant for aggravated sexual assault with a deadly weapon. Police said Denham should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call Richland Hills police at 817-299-1880.
