AGGRAVATED ROBBERY AT LOCAL CONVENIENCE STORE

PRESS RELEASE



The Palestine Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that took place at the Pitt Stop Store located at North Link St and Kickapoo St. On 01-11-2012 a man entered the store just before closing. The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money from the store clerk. The suspect made away with an undetermined amount of money.

Initial information indicates that the suspect may have been a black male wearing black clothing, a black and grey ski mask, and black gloves. The suspect was armed with a black handgun. He was described as being approximately 5’5 with a stocky build. The suspect fled the scene on foot and ran in a westerly direction from the scene.

The Palestine Police Department is currently working some leads into the case. However the Police Department is asking that any person that may have information concerning this or any other matter call the Palestine Police Department at 903-729-2254 or Crime Stoppers at 903-729-TIPS (8477).  

For additional information please contact Sgt. James Muniz at 903-731-8477 or call Detective Nathan Allen at 903-731-8468.     

ARREST MADE IN TRAILER THEFT CASES

PRESS RELEASE

During the past two months, approximately 16 trailers have been reported as stolen to the Palestine Police Department. Detective Cathy Weber was assigned to look into the rash of trailer thefts.

The investigation lead Detective Weber to the city of Bryan, Texas, where with the assistance of Bryan PD, the Palestine Police Department was able to recover seven (7) trailers taken from the City of Palestine and one (1) trailer taken from the Cayuga area of Anderson County. Detective Weber also identified another trailer taken from the City of Jacksonville and alerted the Jacksonville Police Department. The value of the trailers ranged from a couple hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars. The approximate total value of the recovered property in this string of cases to date is approximately $11,900.

On 12-27-2011, members of the Palestine PD arrested Gilberto Estrada Vinaja DOB: 07-22-1985 in connection with the trailer thefts. Vinaja was placed in the Anderson County Jail, charged with Theft >= $1,500< $20,000. Bond was set on the case at $8000.00

The investigation is ongoing and other arrests are possible.

For additional information please contact Sgt. James Muniz at 903-731-8477 or call Detective Cathy Weber at 903-731-8422.     

CITIZEN SAVES SMALL CHILD FROM MOVING TRAIN

PRESS RELEASE

On December 19^th, 2011, at approximately 1043 Hrs, Officers from the Palestine Police Department responded to the area of W.Oak @ San Jacinto in reference to an unattended child.

The complainant, a passing motorist driving westbound on W. Oak, observed what appeared to be a small child approaching a slow moving train, west of the railroad tracks near the intersection.

The child, a four year old male, was eventually detained by the complainant, and upon police arrival, a search was undertaken to find the child’s residence.

Officer Marcos Lara found that the child had walked away from a residence in the 300 Block of McClellan, after the babysitter reported leaving her two children, along the victim and the victim’s brother outside while she went to the bathroom inside the residence. The children varied in age from 2-6 years of age.

Child Protective Services was notified and an employee responded to the scene.

An offense report was generated for Abandoning/Endangering a Child with Criminal Negligence, a State Jail Felony. The case will be forwarded to the Palestine PD Criminal Investigation Division, and will be sent to the Anderson County District Attorney’s Office for consideration.

PALESTINE PD GETS TWO NEW CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS

PRESS RELEASE

The Palestine Police Department has two newly trained Crime Prevention Officers, after they completed their training at the Harris County Sheriff’s Department last week.

Officer Fernando Nino and Detective David Kassaw completed Phase I of the three phases in the Crime Prevention program taught by the Institute for Criminal Justice Studies.

Both officers have completed coursework and have obtained the basic knowledge of Crime Prevention and the fundamental concepts and techniques for preventing and deterring crime. They have been awarded the skills to conduct home inspections, business commercial security surveys, residential security surveys, and are able to make realistic recommendations to remove or reduce obvious crime risk. Detective Kassaw and Officer Nino advised that the training was fun and interesting, but was very demanding of their time. “There was a lot of homework involved in the class, and it was not uncommon for us to be completing our assignments at 1am”, said Det. Kassaw.

The department will be looking to put their skills to good use in the near future, as Chief Robert Herbert takes over on January 3^rd.  Chief Herbert, also a Crime Prevention Inspector, will be looking to bring the police department and the community together.

“This is one of the programs that the Palestine Police Department has lacked over the course of the last ten to fifteen years, says Lieutenant Jeff Powell. “We will be developing the policies and procedures for implementation of the program based on input from Chief Herbert and the officers that completed the training.”

Phase II of the training will deal with public speaking in regards to Crime Prevention, and Phase III will allow the officers to train by attempting to “burglarize buildings” to find if they are actually secure. The department is planning on continuing the officers’ training later in 2012.

LOCAL BUSINESS VICTIM OF BURGLARY

PRESS RELEASE

On December 9^th, 2011, at approximately 0242 Hrs, Officers responded to Katie’s

Pantry, located at 4217 W. Oak, in reference to a burglar alarm.

Upon arrival, officers determined that offenders had entered into the business by breaking through the back wall of the building. The business was searched, the offenders appeared to have fled scene prior to the arrival of police.

The ATM machine from inside the business appeared to have been stolen during the offense. The monetary loss due to offense has not been reported at the time of the press release.

Upon review of the surveillance video, it appears that the offenders wore gloves and masks during the commission of the offense.

Anyone having information regarding this or any other criminal offense, can call the Palestine Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (903)731-8477 or Crime Stoppers at 729-TIPS(8477).

WOMAN STABBED BY EX-BOYFRIEND

PRESS RELEASE

On November 30^th, 2011, Officers from the Palestine Police Department responded to the Palestine Regional Medical Center, 2900 S. Loop 256, in reference to an Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon, which occurred at a residence in the 1200 block of Hays St.

According to the victim, Amber Priehs, 20 years of age, her ex-boyfriend, identified as Jalon R. Owens, 21 years of age, entered into her residence without permission, and became involved in a verbal argument regarding their relationship, which had reportedly ended in the last several weeks.

During the disturbance, Owens produced a knife reportedly stabbed Priehs in the left upper arm.

Priehs reportedly was driven to the hospital by a friend, where she was treated for the injury. Detectives then were called to assist with the investigation.

Officers were unable to contact Owens in reference to the incident, and he has yet to come forward.

The case was forwarded to the criminal investigation division for follow up investigation.

POLICE DEPARTMENT WARNS CITIZENS REGARDING RECENT TRAILER THEFTS

PRESS RELEASE

The Palestine Police Department has received several reports of theft of utility trailers since September 1, 2011, having taken over 15 reports regarding this type of theft.

There does not appear to be any specific pattern, and there are few leads regarding the suspects at this time. Citizens are asked to be on the lookout and report any suspicious occurrences where trailers are being transported away from businesses and residences that look out of the ordinary or the vehicles moving the trailers do not match that of the home owners.

“Citizens with trailers are encouraged to lock down the tongue of the trailer with a spare ball, by locking the extra ball in place with a lock. Other methods of precaution may be to “boot” the trailer tires, or lock both trailer tires in place by locking a pipe between the two tires”, says Lt. Jeff Powell.

Any citizens having information regarding the recent trailer thefts or any other criminal activity are encouraged to call Crimestoppers at (903)729-TIPS or the Palestine Police Department Investigation Division at (903)731-8477.