Santa Clara Crime Watch

Man Knocking on Doors...

2008-02-20T10:41:00.000-06:00

One of our neighbors reports:

I live in the 8600 block of Forest Hills Blvd. One night last week
around 7:00 p.m.
someone came to my door and rang the doorbell. When I asked who was
there the individual said something I did not understand. When I told
them I didn't recognize their voice and wanted to know who was at the
door they replied that I needed to open the door to find out. My
response was that I wouldn't open the door and they needed to leave.
The
man left and I watched him from my window. He went to the house across
the street, rang the doorbell and when no one answered he left. I
continued to watch him and did not see him approach any other house.
He
appeared to be a black man and was wearing a white jacket. I regret
that
I did not call the police to report the incident.

We encourage everyone to be cautious.

Be safe,
Max and Denise
LFHNA Co-Presidents 2008

Description of Armed Robber

2008-02-19T13:40:00.001-06:00

Neighbors,

Here is a description of the individual from the 7-11 robbery:

This guy was white- close to 6ft tall- thin in weight-light brown
short hair- No facial hair- wearing a dark blue jacket and jeans.
Looked like an average person.

The police are currently working the case. They are talking to
another resident about a similar incident on Lakeland (same MO).

Please be careful getting in and out of your cars, especially, with
strangers around.

Armed Robbery in LFH...

2008-02-18T17:46:00.000-06:00

One of our Neighbors reports the following incident:

I am writing this for Little Forest Hills neighborhood awareness.

My husband and I live on San Leandro. We drove up to 7-11 to get some
milk and parked on the side of 7-11. The time was about 8:30pm on Sunday.
There was a Coke truck parked diagonal by the gas pumps and as we pulled in
and parked I did notice this guy standing on the other side of the gas
pumps. As soon as my husband exited the car, the guy ran up to my husband. They
were talking really close to each other and I noticed their body laungage
to be very strange.

My husband looked at me weird a time or two but I thought the guy was
just asking for change (my husband gets approached all of the time for change).

I was not aware the guy was holding a gun to his stomach and asking
for his money. Then my husband handed him something (money, he only had 2- $5
bills), and the guy ran South East on Tavaros (right into our neighborhood).

We drove around to the front of the the 7-11 and I called the police.
It took them 12-15 minutes to get there. By then who knows were he ended up?
He told the guys working in the 7-11 and they said they had seem him
loitering
in front of their store.

I am in hopes the police get the store video tapes and try to find out
who he is.

Anyway, I am telling you my story so you can place it in a crime watch
notice.

Please be very careful parking on the side of 7-11, and other public
places.

Be aware of anyone loitering in a public place.

Be safe,
Max and Denise
LFHNA Co-Presidents 2008

Forest Hills Break-In

2008-02-08T21:48:00.000-06:00

Neighbors,

The following report was received from Forest HIlls Security Program's
off-duty
officer, Sgt Dillon.

We had our first home burglary of 2008 in the 8500 block of
Groveland,
February 7, between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. I went in early to work
Jana
Brewster's regular daytime shift (she was sick with flu), but not
early
enough. The very first street I went to after picking up the logbook
was Groveland on my way to Eustis. Never got to Eustis as I saw the
garage door up on the house on Groveland and stopped to take a look,
as
I saw no car in the garage or driveway. That's when I saw the
interior
door open and computer cables trailing out. The homeowner almost
always has a BMW convertible parked in the drive and I noticed it was
missing. Brief search of the house with a loud announcement that I
was
there, just in case the homeowner was there and then called for cover
and conducted a thorough search of the ransacked house. The
homeowner
was not home and I found a work phone number by researching Dallas
Water Department records. The homeowner came to the house and
discovered that not only were the usual items taken, TV, computer
equipment, cameras, etc., but also the BMW convertible. Suspects cut
the phone wires to the house before prying open the rear door and
then
ransacking the entire house. They then took the car keys hanging
inside and used the BMW to carry away the loot. Neighbors were
contacted to see if anyone saw anything suspicious. Nothing. A
delivery
van behind the house on San Leandro was also interviewed. Nothing.
Fingerprints were taken and some comparable prints were recovered.
Time will tell if they belong to suspects. This burglary bears some
resemblance to the offense on San Cristobal on Dec 21 where the
owner's
car was also taken and we will be looking for those suspects down in
Pleasant Grove. Bottom line, no suspect description to give out, but
we are looking for the 1997 BMW 318c Bluish-green in color with a
black
ragtop. Texas License Plate 618BYY. Dallas Police Report number
0038542-V

Rod

Sgt. R. C. Dillon, #4535
Northeast Investigative Unit
Robbery/Burglary/Theft
214-670-7730

Only takes a few seconds...

2008-02-08T14:12:00.001-06:00

One of our neighbors related the following message:

This evening @ 7:30 pm, my passenger side window was smashed in at the
Walgreens on Ferguson & Lakeland parked between the entrance door and
the drive thru in a lit area. I was inside for 15 minutes at the most.
After calling the police I spoke with the employees inside to see if I
needed to fill anything out. They informed me that this had happened
earlier this week to someone else. No security cameras - no security.
Just want to pass along a warning.

Kate
Eustis Ave

Crimewatch Meeting - Tuesday 2/12

2008-02-07T16:45:00.000-06:00

What: LFH Crime Watch Meeting

When: Tuesday, February 12 at 7 p.m.

Where: White Rock Church of Christ, 9220 Ferguson Rd

Concerned about crime in LFH? Want to find out more about recent
criminal activity and what we can do to make LFH a safer neighborhood
for us all? Come to the LFH Crime Watch meeting on Feb 12. Attending
will be the Dallas Police, a Crime Prevention Specialist from the
Ferguson Road Initiative, and an Auto Theft Prevention Specialist.
This will be an opportunity to discuss your concerns, ask questions,
and hear what's being done in the community.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Nancy Whittier

LFH Crime Watch Chairperson

214-324-3298 (home)

214-707-9990 (cell)

From Gastonwood-Coronado Hills Neighborhood Assoc.

2008-02-07T16:44:00.000-06:00

The following information is from a neighbor in the Gastonwood-
Coronado Hills Neighborhood Association (GCHNA):

We had a banging on the door Sunday around 3 am, a woman announcing to
let me in, Daddy, I have the twins. We said we are calling the police
and did so. Your notice of a while back on this topic was helpful. I
hope others can be notified she is working the neighborhood again.
We're hoping our security system caught her on camera.

We have no additional details on the location. The date was February
3, 2008.

Be Safe,
Max & Denise
LFHNA Co-Presidents 2008

Break-in on Redondo

2008-01-31T22:36:00.001-06:00

One of our neighbors reports:

Wednesday, Jan.30,2008 between the times of 8:30 am -10:30 am a house
in the 8700 block of Redondo was burglarized. They were very brave,
broke in the front door and proceeded to take a TV and laptop. They
were not in the home very long.

Our neighbor states: It's really important that we come together as a
neighborhood to stop these criminals from hitting our homes so
fearlessly. Keep your eyes open.

Be Safe,
Max & Denise
LFHNA Co-Presidents 2008

VIP training for March....

2008-01-14T21:56:00.001-06:00

The next VIP training will be a 3 day class on Monday, March 24,
Tuesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 27. The Monday and Tuesday
classes will be here at the station with the Thursday class at the 911
office as usual. Applications can be downloaded from the web site
below and mailed or dropped off here at the station.

Ron Carpenter #3311
Northeast Division
Patrol Bureau
www.northeastcrimewatch.org
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
Little Forest Hills Neighborhood Association
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/dallas/lfh/

Today's Crime Episode...

2008-01-14T21:50:00.000-06:00

One of our neighbors reports:

Today, in the 8900 block of San Fernando Way we caught a burglar in
action scoping out a home. The male was walking around the home
wearing a white hooded sweat shirt covering his face looking in
windows. Then we noticed he was walking between the homes going toward
the alley. The male had a gray/silver older model pick up truck
waiting in the alley to load in the stolen goods.

Luckily we saw the suspicious activity and we called 911. The cops
arrived in less than 3 minutes and the male went speeding down our
street away from the scene.

Please remember that if you see any suspicious behavior, please call
911. Just remember, you can make a difference!

Keep LFH safe!
Max and Denise
LFHNA Co-Presidents 2008

I ALSO RECEIVED A CALL FROM SOME NEIGHBORS ON EUSTIS TODAY:
-- I was told that a Debbi and Greg Sanders were also victims recently. Greg was working on his lawn and just turned the corner of his house for a few minutes and heard a car drive away... when he came back to the front, he realized that his drill and a few other items were missing.

Remember that during bulk trash days - keep an extra eye out - people are driving around looking for your throw away goods and possibly looking for other opportunities as well.

Break in on San Fernando a few days ago...

2008-01-14T21:48:00.000-06:00

One of our neighbors reported a break-in on San Fernando earlier this
week. The criminals kicked in the fence and back door, took their
television and all this while their alarms were blaring. This was
the second incident at their home.

The police are actively working the case and made the following
recommendations:
- Keep a detailed, up-to-date record of your valuables, including
serial numbers
- Etch your drivers license number on all valuables
- Photograph TV's, computers, electronic equipment and all items that
cannot be etched.

The police routinely visit area pawn shops, scanning for materials
that have been stolen. Photographing your belongings and writing down
serial numbers will enable them to recover your valuables sooner and
help identify the person responsible.

Be safe,
Max and Denise
LFHNA Co-Presidents 2008

If you see these cars....

2008-01-14T21:47:00.000-06:00

I am sorry - I've been a little behind on emails. I received this not long ago:

If you see either of the following two vehicles in the neighborhood,
please call 911. Report them as suspicious vehicles that are possibly
associated with recent burglaries.

Black Cadillac Escalade
Last 3 characters on plate: LPZ

1999 White Lincoln Town Car
Last 3 charactrs on plate: PZR

Daytime residential burglaries have taken place, recently, in the
Gaston Coronado area. Undercover police officers working in that area
did make an arrest yesterday. The criminals were tied to at least one
burglary on Mockingbird.

Thanks for watching our neighborhood,
Max & Denise
Co-Presidents LFHNA 2008

Holiday Crime Watch----

2007-12-23T13:42:00.000-06:00

From Christie Turner:
(Repost)

The holiday season is, unfortunately, a time of increased criminal
activity targeting both businesses and homes. Here are some alerts
from nearby neighborhoods.

Have a safe and happy holiday -- and call 911 immediately if you see
anything suspicious or strange!

- - - - - From Forest Hills Security Patrol:

There have been a couple of break-ins in the last couple of days.
It's time to get into Crime Watch Mode.

We do not know all the details yet, but wanted to raise an alert
immediately.

Sadly, a neighbor on Eustis came home from work with her child to find
her front door had been kicked in (this is a
second break-in within months!) and all the Christmas gifts were
stolen, computers, TVs. children's toys and other personal
possessions. They spent some time there. Someone stole her child's
Christmas of hard earned gifts. Our hearts go out to our neighbor.

Because the holiday season is a high crime time, we are asking all of
you to get into a crime watch mode by keeping an eye out for your
neighbors and their homes.

If you are home during the day, keep an eye out for suspicious
activity. If you are driving around looking at lights, keep your cell
phone handy.

Call 911 first thing about anything suspicious. Don't confront the
criminal directly and don't wait to call 911.

Secure your doors, set your alarm on while you are away from your
home, even for a short time. Make your home a tough target for a lazy
crook.

Get a license plate number and as many details that you can. Watch
out for your neighbors. Together we can fight crime.

Let's all have a safe and happy holiday.

For questions on the program, or to find out how to participate,
contact fhspenp@aol.com or visit our website at www.foresthillsdallas.org

- - - - - From Gastonwood-Coronado Neighborhood Association:

On Friday there was a break-in on the 7100 block of Coronado. The
homeowner was in the back yard working and the criminals kicked in the
front door in the middle of the afternoon. We are working on long-
term solutions but we need to work on this now. If you see anything
unusual or suspicious write down license plate numbers and
descriptions and call 911. I would ask that each person getting this
email talk to your neighbor on each side and let them know what's
going on and encourage them to be observant of what's going on in the
neighborhood. If we work together we can reverse this trend.

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
Little Forest Hills Neighborhood Association
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/dallas/lfh/

- - - - - -
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To unsubscribe from this group, send email to LittleForestHills-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
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-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

Cleaning Up or Neighborhood... GOOD NEWS!

2007-11-25T19:16:00.001-06:00

Hello all,

Thanks to vigilant neighbors and the efforts of Chief Jan Easterling
and a team from the Dallas Police Department, our City Council rep
Sheffie Kadane, Sheffie's wonderful assistant Caroline Nosworthy, the
city's Code Enforcement team, crisis intervention officers, a dog
catcher, and NE service coordinator Lauren Anderson, a string of
successful arrests and related actions were taken in LFH during the
Thanksgiving holiday.

Apparently there have been long-standing issues in the locations that
were involved. Police are very pleased with the outcome of the
operation and expect that positive effects will be felt from it
throughout the neighborhood.

THANKS to you whose 911 calls, letters to City Hall, and other efforts
contributed to this victory in our neighborhood.

Please keep it up.

LFHNA also has a GREAT Crimewatch/Volunteers In Patrol team who
welcome your volunteer spirit, whether for a couple of hours here and
there or for ongoing involvement.

All best,
Christie

Info from Gastonwood-Coronado Neighborhood Assoc.

2007-11-25T19:15:00.001-06:00

FYI from Gastonwood-Coronado Neighborhood Association, by the spillway
near the intersection of Gaston and Grand. No word of such happenings
in LFH. But thought you might want to know just the same.

Here's the bottom line:
It is so tempting to want to help someone who seems to need help! BUT
please do NOT open your door for people you don't know.

Instead, if the person is saying it is an emergency situation, call
911 and describe the situation.

Please call 911 if you are approached by a stranger matching the
description below.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2007 4:30 PM

Tonight at 8:40 p.m., a woman knocked on our door saying she needed
help because she was our neighbor and "two men were chasing her." We
live near Vivian and Clermont.

We didn't open the door but said we would call 911 for her. She said
"yes, she wanted the police," so we called 911, and we waited at the
door. After two minutes, she then took off walking down Monte Vista
towards the park on Grand.

One of us got in a car and tried to follow her but couldn't. However,
a man (whose face we couldn't identify) was sitting on the stairs of
our next door neighbor. As soon as he saw us, he disappeared. We were
also on our cell phones, when they suddenly went dead and we couldn't
make any calls.

The police arrived about 12 minutes after the 911 and right after our
cell phones went dead (we could tell the timing given our cell phone
calls to each other). The phones then began to work again.

The police searched around our house and couldn't find anyone (two
cars arrived with one officer each -- later another car would show up
as well). They said they would look for the woman and one of them said
under his breath, "who knows what would have happened if you opened
that door."

Here is a description of the woman: shoulder-length red hair (it may
have been natural given her very light skin tone). She also had a
visible tattoo on her neck (bigger than a silver dollar in size). She
looked middle age -- perhaps 38-45 and petite in frame.

The police reaffirmed that you should not open your door for people
you don't know -- it seems obvious but is always so tempting to want
to help out someone who seems to need help. Instead, if the person is
saying it is an emergency situation, call 911 and describe the
situation.

Today's News...

2007-10-30T14:02:00.000-06:00

There is work being done by our Neighborhood Association at the moment to get some signs made for the neighborhood. Many of you have contacted me about wanting to purchase for your home/alley. I will be getting info to you all in the near future! The signs will let people know that we are watching for suspicious activity.

And, some of you witnessed two gentlemen in a green Honda Accord today nosing around our neighborhood... I called 9-1-1 several times about their location and a neighbor called as well. The driver was a white male (skinny/short) in a red hoodie and the other was an older Hispanic gentleman. I watched them for over 20 mintues and followed them. They were at the houses that are 'For Sale' pretending to write the numbers down and then they would go from door to door. I even saw them looking in the dumpster on the corner at the construction site. I followed them to Diceman where I saw them putting 'flyers' on doors. I'm not sure if the police came by - if you saw someone patrolling - please let me know.

The times I have ended up finding these people - they have 'blended in' quite well - I am a suspicious person by nature --- be sure to pay attention to everything in our neighborhood right now!!!

Thank you guys for all of your emails and help!!!!!!!!

Message from Forest Hills Security Program

2007-10-30T12:04:00.001-06:00

Neighbors:

The report below is from one of our off duty police
officers who patrols for The Forest HIlls Security Program and who
has us ever present in his mind. This report shows the perfect
example of the importance of getting a license plate number when you
see something or someone suspicious. Keep your eyes open and a pad
of paper and pen in your car and near your phone!

Judy Whalen
Forest HIlls Security Program fhspenp@aol.com
214 324-9894

A burglary of an open garage occurred on Oct 20 (Sat) at 6 pm in the
8200 block of San Leandro. The homeowner saw the burglar in his
garage and the suspect ran off and got into a 1989 Toyota, blue,
License 5YRNW. The vehicle was driven by a second unidentified
suspect. The homeowner got the license number as they drove away and
called 911. Responding on-duty officers quickly began searching,
since they had a license plate to look for and within 30 minutes had
the vehicle stopped and the burglary suspect captured. The homeowner
positively identified the passenger as the person he saw inside his
garage. This person has a significant criminal record and was placed
in jail for Burglary of a Habitation. The suspect had dropped the
property he was stealing, so there was no loss to the homeowner.
Good work by the homeowner who had the presence of mind to get a good
car description, INCLUDING LICENSE NUMBER! The driver was placed in
jail for a variety of "little" traffic charges and the car was towed
to our pound. Dallas Report number 695200-T

Arrested: Ushun Barton B/M/28 of Terrell Texas and Tommy Morgan B/M/
48.

Sgt. R. C. Dillon, #4535
Northeast Investigative Unit
Robbery/Burglary/Theft
214-670-7730

Saturday's Incident...

2007-10-29T14:24:00.000-06:00

If you are wondering why we had a police helicopter in the neighborhood on Saturday...

Christie,
Saturday afternoon, an intruder kicked in the back door of 90XX Redondo DR
911 was called and the Police responded in a timely maner. A tall white male wearing a grey sweatshirt and gray cap entered the home, as soon as he found my wife was there he left.
I was at work, so there was no car in the driveway. Entrance was obtained through the alley and back gate.
regards,
Lynn

********************
Best wishes to the victims of this incident. I'm so glad no one was harmed!

Break-ins near Santa Clara

2007-10-25T21:27:00.000-06:00

An email received by Christie Turner today.....

Christie,
Wanted to let you know about 2 more home break-ins that occured today.
One was 5 houses down from me in the 9000 block of Forest Hills Blvd, the other was in the, I think, 9200 block of Redondo.

The police said they seemed to be done by the same people. Both were front doors crow-barred open. My friend up the street had some CD's, 2 DVD players, a sub-woofer stolen. She's not sure what else was taken, but they ransacked the place, moved her mattress, went thru her closets, left a real mess and destroyed the doorframe and door. Both incidents happened between 8am and 4pm today.

Suspicious White Van...

2007-10-12T16:46:00.001-06:00

From a LFH Resident: (sent to me today)

Saw a suspicious White Van in the area while I was patrolling Friday afternoon 10/12/07.
License plate: 5ZW-Y24. No company markings on the van.
The van was in front of a house on the 9000 block of Angora.
The black male dirver was in the front yard near the street where the water meter would be.
I asked him if he was with the water company. He said he was just picking up pecans and the usually the owner of that home would give him a bag of pecans and I think he mumbled something about he picks up pecans around the neighborhood.
I went around the block and then he was gone; saw him heading down Old Gate toward Diceman, then went left towards CLENA.

I've since contacted the owner of that home and said they don't know anyone fitting that description. I've also contacted the police to report the white van.
Please be on the lookout. At the very least this person knows that there are people in the neighborhood who are looking out for people like him.

OTHER:
Neighbor on Diceman had a police car in front of his house. I stopped to inquire. Apparently the neighbor had a road rage incident on Lakeland. The other driver drove him off the road and after a brief verbal altercation, the other driver followed him home.
Suspect vehicle is a White Ford p/u, F-150, Plate#: 89P-GY4. Driver is bald white male. Was wearing dark glasses.

FYI:
Next VIP (Volunteer in Patrol) Class for 2007
(M, T, Th).... November 12, 13 & 15..... 7pm – 9:30pm
v Monday and Tuesday sessions are held at the Northeast Station, 9915 E. Northwest Highway
v Thursday sessions are held at the 911 Center (Dallas City Hall)
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks
Albert Barbosa
LFH VIP
2114-893-9188

Also
NEXT CERT CLASS:
http://www.dallascert.com/
The City of Dallas will be sponsoring free Community Emergency Response Team Training on the following dates, times and location:
Tuesday, October 23, 2007- 6808 Pastor Bailey Drive , Dallas , TX 75237 - 6:00 pm -8:30 pm
Thursday, October 25, 2007- 6808 Pastor Bailey Drive , Dallas , TX 75237 - 6:00pm-8:30pm
Tuesday, October 30, 2007- 6808 Pastor Bailey Drive , Dallas , TX 75237 - 6:00 pm - 8:30pm:
Thursday, November 1, 2007 – 6808 Pastor Bailey Drive, Dallas , TX 75237- 6:00pm-8:30pm:
Tuesday, November 6, 2007 – 6808 Pastor Bailey Drive, Dallas , TX 75237 - 6:00pm – 8:30 pm
Thursday, November 8, 2007 – 6808 Pastor Bailey Drive, Dallas , TX 75237 - 6:00pm-8:30pm
Saturday, November 10, 2007- Dallas Fire/Rescue Fire Academy, 5000 Dolphin Rd TX 75223 - 9:00am- 12:00pm
Please forward to anyone who will be interested in participating in this training, as this will be our last class of the 2007. If you have a class to make up, I will send you the specific date and time that you need to attend. If you are interested in registering for this training, are interested in hosting training or would like to receive more information, please contact oem@dallascityhall.com or call 214-670-4275.

Next LFH Meeting

2007-10-02T14:58:00.000-06:00

October General Meeting: Who wants MORE CRIME?

(NOBODY, right?)

While LFH still has one of the lowest crime rates in Dallas, there's
still a lot we can do to make our neighborhood safer. Bring your
questions! We'll have a moderated panel discussion about crime in our
neighborhood and what we can do to protect ourselves and help our
neighbors.

Our special guest will be Officer A.J. Serratos, Northeast Patrol
Division. Other panelists will include Kerry Goodwin of the Ferguson
Road Initiative, and leaders from very active Crimewatch organizations
in other Dallas neighborhoods.

I hope you'll decide to volunteer for a TEAM of people to help our
neighborhood do fun, simple, and smart things to put crime in its
place!

Other quick stops on this month's action-packed agenda:

- Central Dallas Ministries announces their 2007 Pumpkin Festival!
- The proposed 90-foot cellular tower at Lakeland/Ferguson
- 2008-09 LFHNA board nominations (LFHNA members will have the
extremely fun opportunity to vote on this!)

Please join us this month! Bring a friend!

Our neighbors from other neighborhoods are welcome, too.

Tuesday, October 17
7 pm
White Rock United Methodist Church
1450 Oldgate Ln
Dallas TX 75218

The church has generously hosted a great many neighborhood meetings
for us since January 2006. If you have the opportunity to do so,
please thank their members and staff for their generosity.

All best,
Christie

package stolen on door step....

2007-09-20T15:27:00.000-06:00

I just got an email from a resident on Santa Clara. She works from home and usually has packages delivered to her home. The package that was delivered today was stolen from her porch. Obviously the people had to walk up her driveway to her front porch to do this...

White Van Casing LFH today..

2007-09-20T14:53:00.000-06:00

A neighbor called me today after calling 911 on an old white van that seemed to be casing the neighborhood today. He noticed the van on Santa Clara (two men, one black and one white). It was a 12 passenger van - early 90's - ratty.

The man who spotted them carefully followed them all over the neighborhood and watched them stopping at intersections while looking closely at all the houses.

IF YOU SEE THIS VAN - please call 911.
The plates are registered to a man in Grand Prairie.

Van Plates: 930GJH

The only way to get attention to this neighborhood is to call the police when something doesn't look right. We know how our neighbors are for the most part - start looking at the people that are standing out.

We called the police at 3... it's 4pm and I haven't seen a police car yet. :(

ZERO TOLERANCE.

Thanks!

Windows stolen on Monday

2007-09-20T12:34:00.000-06:00

The house being remodeled at the corner of Santa Clara and Tavaros was burglarized on Monday. Not sure on the details except the theives took the windows. The workers had left earlier than usual and it is not sure if the windows were stolen during the day or night. It's possible the people looked like workers and removed the windows where no one noticed.

Thanks for the info - please keep letting me know when you hear about any happenings. The detectives also have access to this blog to help them with their investigations.

Top 10 Most Wanted of NE Dallas...

2007-09-17T15:27:00.000-06:00

I recieved this link today from Susan Remele... the minute I looked at it I recognized the first man (Jose) as the person I saw in the front yard of one of our victim house's yards (when the break in occurred... on May 5th). I am not completely sure it's him but I am almost positive. There is always room for 2nd guessing in these situations.

http://www.northeastcrimewatch.org/resources/one+slide+10+most+wanted+may+14.pdf

I have talked to the NE station and to a detective to report that I thought this was the same man. Jose has a history of robbing people, not just burglarizing. Robbing, meaning - at gun point, etc.

Thanks and PLEASE call 911 on ANY activity that is questionable... don't 2nd guess yourself, just call. I have talked to muliple people on our street that have seen suspicious activity and have not called it in (people in backyards and allies).This will continue until we really are a ZERO TOLERANCE neighborhood. I talked to a good friend of mine today on the SWAT team and he said that people not calling in suspicious activity/people is their biggest frustration on their jobs. If the police don't know about it - then it continues. Do you want to continue to live in a neighborhood that is being constantly targeted?

Please talk to your neighbors... I was surprised how many people didn't want to be on our email list for this crime watch blog. Let your neighbors know about this site and have them send me their email addresses to be included in informational emails.
clayton72@mac.com

This week a neighbor and I are planning on making signs for our alley ways and our backyards that states that there is a zero tolerance policy for unauthorized people to use our alley ways. Anyone driving down our alley will be called into the police, no matter what.

If you are interested in us making one for you... contact me as soon as possible. We will put one sign at each entry to our allies (between Ocalla and Tavaros). If you want to inlcude your alley/yard - please just donate $2/sign for expenses! I will be buying poster board, etc. tomorrow. Can anyone help us with Spanish?

We are in the process of working with our City Council official and members of the community as well.

Thank you all - please contact me with any info that needs to be posted.

Clayton

Ferguson/Lakeland Incident

2007-09-16T14:23:00.000-06:00

FYI -- this occurred along Ferguson Road. The information comes from
the Ferguson Road Initiative.

- - - - -

In case any of you missed this, please take notice and advise your
memberships as may be appropriate. If an armed robber is so brazen to
rob an armed police officer, then we all need to take extra precaution
and stay alert. This occurred in the parking lot of Dr. Cantrell's Vet
Clinic at Lakeland & Ferguson.

FAR EAST DALLAS
Off-duty deputy robbed of standard-issue gun
An off-duty sheriff's deputy was robbed of his gun at a shopping
center Thursday evening. Deputy Booker Kidd was in a parking lot in
the 8500 block of Ferguson Road about 7 p.m. when a man robbed a nail
salon. As the robber fled, he encountered the plainclothes deputy and
demanded money at gunpoint, Dallas County sheriff's spokesman Michael
Ortiz said. When Deputy Kidd opened his wallet, the robber saw his
badge and demanded his gun, Deputy Ortiz said. The robber lifted up
Deputy Kidd's shirt and stole his department-issued gun. Deputy Ortiz
did not have a detailed description of the robber but said he fled in
a black Cadillac Escalade with others inside. Anyone with information
about the robberies can call 214-671-3584.

Message from Christie Turner, LFHNA President

2007-09-15T09:36:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors,

I have GOOD news and some "other" news.

First, the "other" news: We have been experiencing a general rise in
crime in LFH over the past few weeks.

Crime generally happens more in summertime months. We're actually one
of the safest neighborhoods in east Dallas. So there's no need to
fear! But be aware that there's an increase in burglaries, car
vandalism/theft, etc.

An off-duty police officer who does extra patrols for Forest Hills was
kind enough to do an analysis of crime in LFH for us. His assessment
is that there's no particular block or area where it's concentrated --
just a general rise.

The crimewatch chair in Forest Hills has also explained that home
construction sites (and the surrounding areas) also can be a bit of a
magnet for opportunistic thefts -- both from the houses being built
and from homes immediately nearby.

Here are some more specific comments passed along to me RE
construction and some things that Forest Hills has done about it:

"Construction sites bring thieves to steal from the actual sites and
our homes. like pick up a piece of copper at the site and then a tv
from a neighboring home to pawn. not all of them are construction
workers or city alley construction workers. some of them are crazed
druggies looking for quick cash to buy the next round. with
construction sites i did a flyer in English and Spanish and taped it
to port-o-lets, gave to site managers and attached to bulldozers. It
said that our neighborhood is beefing up our security and have made
arrests.....and if they see anything suspicious to use their cell
phones to call 911 and report in english or spanish. That way we were
not accusing them personally, but at the same time we are letting
everyone know we that we are watching everything."

IF YOU are interested in being part of a team of people to help do
things like this, please reply to this email!

Now for the GOOD news.

The DPD has resources to help us and has committed to taking some
immediate actions to do so.

PLEASE keep your eyes out on each other's property and for suspicious
persons/cars and call 911 ASAP.

IF YOU ARE OBSERVING threatening activities or people in your
vicinity, even if there is NOT a crime happening right that minute,
call 911 anyway! If everything's OK, it will still be OK after the
police have checked it out.

Here's just a few ways that your making these 911 calls benefits ALL
of us:

- It lets the police know where suspicious people/situations are
surfacing.
- It lets the police know what time of day things are going on.
- It gives them LICENSE NUMBERS of cars and descriptions of people/
situations/vehicles involved

If you aren't seeing immediate response to your calls, please feel
empowered to call Sgt AJ Degan at the DPD: 214-670-4415 or reply to
this email and explain your concerns.

It takes a village.

All best,
Christie
cturner1616@yahoo.com

And again!

2007-09-10T17:06:00.001-06:00

Just letting you know that there was another break-in last week on Santa Clara last week. This time it was on the 8900 block (between Ocalla and Tavaros). The man that lives in this house just happen to come home after a funeral and pulled up behind the man's car in his driveway. (He had parked backwards and broke in through the back door). The guy acted like he was looking at the house for sale next door and then got into his car and drove through the yard to get out. It happened too fast for the victim to realize what was going on.

His neighbor told me she heard him kick the back door in but didn't know what the sound was. She looked around her own house but didn't know where it had come from.

The man (from what I have heard - 2nd hand) was a hispanic male, skinny and had a goatee. Not the same man I saw months ago breaking in near Lakeland. I don't have info on his car yet but will talk to the home owner soon.

I apologize for the late notice but I was in Brazil last week and could not get into my software with all of your email addresses on it.

PLEASE - keep an eye out. If you guys have any ideas of what we can do as a street, let me know. Stake outs? Hire someone? This has to stop and these people are right under our nose. Each house that gets hit seems to be near construction. You can see this last house from the house on Tavaros/Santa Clara that is adding on.

Call the police for ANYTHING that looks suspicious. Get serial numbers/photos of all of your valuables.

I'll write again when I get more info.

One more break in...

2007-08-20T21:51:00.000-06:00

Ugh. I was so glad that I wasn't having to post new stuff on this blog for a really long time.

I got a call tonight from a woman that lives in the 8800 block of Santa Clara (close to Tavaros). She was robbed in the past few weeks. Same story - single woman living alone. Sounds just like the last 2 break-ins on our street (near her).

As we were talking I realized that there is construction going on beside and right behind her house. That seems to be another common link as well.

Does anyone have access to these builders/construction companies? We need to get another flyer out on the street.

I called one of the other women that was robbed and gave her the latest victim's phone number so that she can talk to her detective. The person that entered her home used a crowbar to get into her back door. She said her back door has a strong deadbolt (key entry) and they got in. They left the crowbar behind and left with jewelry, her tv and various other items.

The common threads once again: women living alone, houses near construction sites, back entry, and all between Lakeland and Tavaros.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep an eye out and report anyone/everyone that looks out of place.

I've seen a forrest green mini van driving up and down our streets lately (hispanic male in his 40s) but I haven't been able to get his license plates or figure out what he's up to...

Please keep in touch with any happenings! If you live near any construction - have your neighbors keep an eye out on your place as well.

Instant Alarm - Security Tip

2007-05-27T16:08:00.000-06:00

An email I got from my grandmother today but it's a good tip:

Car Key Tip
Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you
hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to
get in your house, just press the panic button for
your car. The alarm will be set off and the horn will
continue to sound until either you turn it off or the
car battery dies.
This tip came from a neighborhood watch
coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and
you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a
security alarm system that you probably already have
and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off
from most everywhere inside your house and will keep
honking until your battery runs down or until you
reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It
works if you park in your driveway or garage.
If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying
to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist
won't stick around.... after a few seconds all the
neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who
is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want
that.
And, remember to carry your keys while walking to
your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same
way there.....
This is something that should really be shared
with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual
abuse crime.

Suspicious Truck in Alley

2007-05-24T13:16:00.000-06:00

I just got a call from a resident that lives in the 9000 block of Santa Clara (between Ocalla and Oldgate).
She was home briefly and saw a small Nissan red pick up truck driving slowly through the alley. This alley is seldom used so she knew it was odd. She saw that there was a Hispanic man driving the truck and she began to follow him - he took off through the alley and was gone quickly. It is very possible that he was casing the houses.

His plates:

88Z YH1

Keep an eye out!

Alarm Company in the Neighborhood

2007-05-12T13:13:00.000-06:00

From a neighbor:

All,

Tonight, I just received a fairly hard sell from a door-to-door salesman
from APX Alarms. He mentioned that he had just upgraded Kay McKinney to
a new alarm system, the gentleman that his house burned down several months
ago and someone else who I don't recall now. I told him I'd have to
think about it until tomorrow, which he didn't like, and at first he
said all of the free equipment and installation packages would be gone
by then. Then, he asked if he could come back tomorrow even though he
only had two left to give away (sounded suspicious to me).

After he left I came in and looked on the Internet for www.APX.com which
he said was their Internet address, it's not. I Goggled APX and found
the link below that you may be interested in. I think I'll take my
business elsewhere.

http://www.securityinfowatch.com/article/article.jsp?id=8931&siteSection
=302

Regards,
Doug

As an additional note I didn't appreciate the some of the salesman's
questions. I thought several of them were out of line. Such as:

I'm sure you keep a pistol or some kind of a gun in your house, don't
you?
When you leave your house do you leave your dogs in the house or put
them outside?
Can I come inside an evaluate your house? Multiple times he asked.
You always keep your windows locked, don't you?

I just thought it was worth noting based on the link, one of several on
the Internet regarding APX.

************************************************

SOME PEOPLE HAVE WRITTEN ME SINCE I POSTED THIS AND THOUGHT THEY WERE LEGIT BUT THOUGHT THEY WERE OUT OF LINE BY THE HARD SALES TACTICS AND QUESTIONS. BE FIRM AND TELL THEM THAT THEY ARE OUT OF LINE AND ASK THEM TO LEAVE IF THEY MAKE YOU UNCOMFORTABLE.

clayton

Susan's neighbor --- Friday (yesterday)

2007-05-12T13:07:00.000-06:00

Susan called again this afternoon to tell me that her neighbor had caught 3 kids trying to get into a backyard next door. They were 16 or so - all bald headed. One hispanic and two white kids. Susan's neighbor confronted the kids and told them that he's home all the time and to LEAVE. They tried to say that they were looking for their dog.

I talked to the guys that work at the liquor store on the spillway this afternoon - they told me that they heard that a few of the banks at Casa Linda had been robbed as well.

I worked in Social Services for 5 years and when the nice weather hit, we had an influx of problems with people. One reason being that people drink/use drugs more when the weather changes.

Thanks for being on the lookout!

Weird guy approached Susan Remele's home today

2007-05-12T10:05:00.000-06:00

Susan Remele called me and said that she was home this morning with other people in her home (3 cars out front) and a hispanic guy in a blue beat-up car walked up her driveway. She asked him what he wanted and he asked if her house was for sale. Very sketchy and there is no 'for sale' sign in the yard.

She wrote down his license plate and called the police.

The blue car in question:

082PWJ

Thanks Susan!

Our Postman

2007-05-09T08:23:00.000-06:00

I talked to our postman yesterday. He said that he knew Forest Hills is having similar problems. He told me that about 2 weeks ago they spotted a man in an alley way checking out a house. The police were called and they ended up arresting him on drunk driving. The postman thought that he might have also been in a blue sedan.

I'm going to see if a detective can confirm this, maybe I can look at the mugshot and see if it looks like the man I saw.

BTW, we have the same postman for the whole LFH area. He's keeping his eyes open for us.

Crime Stats found for Forest Hills and Little Forest Hills

2007-05-07T15:23:00.000-06:00

2/04 82XX Forest Hills motorbike stolen FH
3/20 82xx San Fernando bicycles stolen FH
3/22 88XX Santa Clara televisions
3/28 83XX San Cristobal vandalism of residence FH
3/30 8600 Redondo burglary of a residence LHF
4/02 8366 Santa Clara burglary FH
4/02 87xx Diceman vandalism of residence LFH
4/13 81xx San Fernando theft FH
4/20 86xx Santa Clara burglary of a residence LFH
4/23 88xx San Leandro theft LFH
4/25 83xx Forest Hills burglary of an attached garage FH
5/04 86xx Santa Clara burglary of a residence LFH

Thank you, Susan Remele for providing this information.

Message from Redondo Resident

2007-05-06T21:32:00.000-06:00

I just received this in an email after our meeting today....

I live on Redondo Drive (near Oldgate and Santa Clara). On the 24th of April (07), my wife was sitting on our back deck with my mother-n-law, and witnessed two black men in a tattered looking earlier model pick-up truck trolling the alley slowly. One of the men, ( youngish, stocky, medium height) hopped out the truck and jumped the back fence of our neighbor's property, and attempted to take a small grill (looked like it was copper). He probably didn't see my wife due to the thick brush. She yelled at him, and he quickly dropped it and ran. He jumped back into the truck which drove a way very fast. She couldn't get the plate number, but did call the police to report it.

Crime Watch Emergency Meeting Today 5/6

2007-05-06T16:36:00.000-06:00

Thank you for those that made it by today - we had almost 30 people. Hopefully that's enough to get the word out.

I wanted to mention to you guys that you should be writing down serial numbers to your computers, tv's, cameras, etc. If you do ever have to experience a robbery - the police will be able to keep an eye on the pawn shops. It's better to have all of that info in order to catch someone!

Clayton

Important about suspect Info 5/6/07

2007-05-06T09:46:00.000-06:00

This is an email to Christie Turner regarding the emails that are getting around...

Hi Christie,
FYI three of us saw a suspicious man matching this description today at a garage sale on Diceman. We hadn't seen the flier yet, so we didn't do anything at the time. I will try to make it to the meeting tomorrow to see where I can help.
We all got a good look at him and he genuinely seemed to be scoping out everything in the yard and the house where the garage sale was . He didn't buy anything but a packet of chips and a drink after spending a really long time there. Two of us got weird vibes. Plus he stared at the house as he drove away (in what I think was a royal blue (smurf color ;) Chrysler four door car, mid 90's model - but would have to look at some kind of car book to pick out what kind it was). He was a fair-complected Hispanic man with short, buzz cut hair. Slightly built, 5'9 or 5'10.
Anyhow, you can pass this on to whoever would be interested, (since the flier we have didn't leave a contact number).
Thanks much!

Another Break In 5/4/07

2007-05-05T15:33:00.000-06:00

There was ANOTHER residential burglary on Santa Clara .

Please print out and share this information with your neighbors:
we're trying to reach everyone this weekend!

Emergency Crimewatch Meeting:
8934 SANTA CLARA
SUNDAY, MAY 6
2:00PM

EMERGENCY CRIME NOTICE!!! BREAK-INS ON SANTA CLARA

RECENTLY, 3 HOMES ON SANTA CLARA HAVE BEEN BROKEN INTO WITHIN AN HOUR
OF THE RESIDENTS LEAVING WHICH SUGGESTS THAT THE CRIMINALS ARE
WATCHING US COME AND GO.

ONE BREAK-IN OCCURRED LAST SATURDAY MORNING (3/31) -- ANOTHER
HAPPENED FRIDAY (5/4) IN THE AFTERNOON

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED AND WANT TO GET INVOLVED, AN EMERGENCY MEETING
WILL BE HELD IN CLAYTON WRIGHT'S FRONT YARD (8934 SANTA CLARA) ON
SUNDAY, MAY 6, AT 2PM TO DISCUSS FORMING EMERGENCY PATROLS ON SANTA
CLARA

THE CRIMINAL ON FRIDAY 5/5/07 WAS A HISPANIC MALE IN HIS 40'S DRIVING
A BLUE SEDAN.

CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SEE THIS MAN OR CAR OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT
LOOKS SUSPICIOUS!!

Break-in News from 4/28/07

2007-05-05T15:29:00.000-06:00

Below is the email sent out by the LFH Neighborhood Association.

Dear LFH:

I have been requested to inform you just in case these suspicious
persons have targeted our neighborhood.

If you see suspicious activity, please CALL 911!

Someone's house on Santa Clara was broken into on April 20 during the
day when the resident had only been gone for 2 1/2 hours that morning.
Entry was from the back alley - kitchen door was forced open with a
tool at the door jam and the lock area of the door was completely
splintered and damaged. Because of what they took, they seem to be
unsophisticated young people - high school age?

On April 28th - this same resident was sitting on the front porch
reading a book and a car screeched to a halt across the street just
one house down and two young males exited the car and were yelling at
each other "how much did you get?" they were both reaching into their
front pants pockets and taking out cash bills and counting them. one
black male 16-17 approx. 6'2" 140ish lbs. and the hispanic male -
5"7", tattoo left upper arm, lots of gold chains, clean cut hair,
about 120-130 lbs.

In the car were two girls (one black female-one hispanic female) (one
girl was wearing a hood which she took down as she was sitting there)
sitting in the back seat to open the trunk.

The driver took off his tennis shoes - changed his socks from white to
yellow - put his shoes back on and then got back in the car and sped
away - throwing things out the window as he pulled away from the
curb.

Description of the vehicle - old model beat up honda sedan - four door
- dark turquiose color - dull paint job - very large single dent in
the passenger door on the drivers side - no hub caps.