Credit Union Robbery May Be Linked to Arkansas Heists

TYLER — Tyler Police Investigators received information on Thursday from the Benton, Arkansas, Police Department, indicating that they are investigating two bank robberies matching the same description and method of operation as the suspect involved in the Altra Credit Union robbery Wednesday morning. Benton is located 15 miles west of Little Rock, off Interstate 35. Police say the suspect robbed the Summit Bank in 2009 and the same bank in 2011 in Benton. The Benton suspect was driving a red or maroon Chevy S-10 pick-up.

The suspect’s identity is not known at this time. If anyone recognizes the suspect, you’re asked to call your local law enforcement authority or the FBI with your information. The picture at left is from Summit Bank surveillance cameras that were obtained by police

Tyler police earlier released surveillance video as they continue looking for the lone gunman who held up the Altra Credit Union around 10:00 Wednesday morning at 5523 Troup Highway, across from Trane. Bank employees told investigators that the suspect approached the counter and gave the teller a note and verbally told the teller that it was a robbery. The suspect displayed a weapon that was tucked in the waistband.

The suspect is described as an around 30-year-old white male, medium build, wearing a black Fedora hat, glasses, yellow shirt, black sports coat, faded jeans and brown shoes. The teller gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect left the building and ran to the rear of the credit union disappearing into a nearby neighborhood. Investigators are looking into a possible suspect vehicle described as a 90’s model Chevy or GM extended-cab, pick-up, dark maroon in color. The FBI arrived on the scene to assist with the investigation.

Former Day Care Worker Indicted


MINEOLA — A former Mineola daycare worker is free on bond after being indicted for injury to a child. Jennifer Lynn Stone, 24, was released on a $10,000 bond Wednesday morning. The mother of a five year old boy took the complaint to Mineola police in June. The mother said she had video of the worker physically abusing her son. The worker was later fired by the daycare operator.

Two East Texans Dead in North Dakota Wreck


DICKINSON, N.D. (AP/Staff) – Authorities have identified two East Texas men who died after a head-on crash on a foggy highway in western North Dakota’s oil patch. The Highway Patrol says 25-year-old Joshua Schuchardt of Hallsville, was pronounced dead upon arrival at a Dickinson hospital after the crash early Wednesday on state Highway 22 north of Dickinson. Twenty-three-year-old Derek Moore, of Center, died later in the day at a Bismarck hospital. The two were passengers in a pickup truck that collided head-on with a semitrailer while passing another vehicle. The driver of the pickup and another passenger were hospitalized in Dickinson with unspecified injuries.

Testimony Continues in Warden’s Wife’s Trial


MANGUM, Okla. (AP) – A former Oklahoma prison employee went back on the witness stand Thursday in the trial of an ex-deputy warden’s wife who is charged with helping a convicted killer escape in 1994. Glenn Hardin testified in the trial of 49-year-old Bobbi Parker. Prosecutors allege Parker fell in love with Randolph Dial and helped him escape the Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite, where her husband, Randy, was deputy warden. Defense attorneys claim Dial kidnapped Bobbi Parker and held her hostage until they were found living in Campti, Texas, in 2005. Dial also maintained until his death in prison in 2007 that he kidnapped Parker and held her hostage. Hardin testified Wednesday that he had regular contact with Dial at the prison’s physical fitness area and called him egotist.

18 Stitches for Dog Attack Victim

TYLER — TYLER — A 6-year-old boy received 18 stitches after he’s attacked by a neighbor’s dog. It happened Tuesday on Moore Avenue in Tyler. Police said Trevon James was in the back yard at his neighbor’s when the dog somehow got off the chain and attacked him. He was rushed to a local hospital and treated for his wounds. The dog was taken by authorities after it was found that his rabies vaccination was not up to date. The owners received a citation from police. Trevon’s father says the incident was scary at the time but he and his son hold no ill will towards their neighbor and even spoke to pet owner that very night. Animal Control in Tyler said the dog’s owner paid to have their pet put down. Trevon is expected to make a full recovery.

Smith County Fire Contained


SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Fire Officials say a wildfire burning since Wednesday has been contained. Flames sparked of FM RD 2661 about a half mile off of Hwy 155. Officials say at least 10 acres have burned in the fire. Several bulldozers and a plane were brought in to help contain the blaze. The Texas Forest Service was also on hand. No word on what started the fire.

Repeat Offender Sentenced to 15 Years

GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County jurors sent a Longview man to prison for 15 years Wednesday after finding him guilty the previous day to drug possession. The jury convicted Claudie Ray Edwards, Jr., 28, of having a bag of crack cocaine when Texas Department of Public Safety troopers arrested him Nov. 6 at the Tiger Mart convenience store on East Marshall Avenue. Edwards was passed out in his parked vehicle with a bag of the drug sitting in plain sight on the dashboard. He admitted to consuming crack cocaine and liquid codeine that night and early morning.

The Assistant DA asked for an enhanced punishment against Edwards based on his criminal history, which includes drug, theft and burglary convictions. He has pending misdemeanor charges in Gregg County for marijuana possession and criminal trespass. Gregg County jailers testified in Edwards’ punishment hearing that he exposed himself several times to several female jailers and made inappropriate, sexually offensive comments.

Cambodian National Convicted of Federal Firearms Violations


TYLER — A Cambodian national illegally living in Caney City has been convicted of federal firearms violations. Chhourngly Kheng, 26, was found guilty by a jury of being an unlawful alien in possession of a firearm. According to information presented in court, in April of last year, officers responded to a call reporting a shooting at Thunder Liquor in Caney city. Officers said Kheng, an employee of the liquor store, had fired a .38 caliber revolver at two customers as they left the parking lot. Following the guilty verdict, Kheng was remanded into custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to await sentencing. Kheng faces up to 10 years in federal prison and deportation. A sentencing date has not been set.

Teen Pleads Guilty in Gun Case


TYLER — The teen accused of bringing a gun to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on a peace officer. Corey Webb, 17, from Kansas City was arrested in Tyler in July of last year. Kansas City police asked Tyler police to apprehend the teen from a bus for outstanding warrants. Webb allegedly pulled a gun from his backpack and began firing at an officer inside the attention center. No one was injured. Judge Kerry Russell has set Webb’s sentencing for September 16th.

Mt. Pleasant Man Sentenced for Drug Crimes


TYLER — A Titus County man appearing in Tyler federal court, has drawn a prison sentence for drug trafficking. Hector Nieto, 40, of Mt. Pleasant, pleaded guilty last November to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Nieto was also ordered to forfeit ownership of commercial property in Mt. Pleasant, valued at $93,000, a 2005 GMC, K3500 pickup truck, and $21,473.47 in U.S. Currency. According to information presented in court, in July 2009, Nieto knowingly delivered approximately three kilograms of cocaine to others with instructions to transport the cocaine to Chicago, Illinois, for sale and distribution.

Ex-Secretary Testifies in Parker Trial


MANGUM, Okla. (AP) – The former secretary to a former deputy Oklahoma prison warden whose wife is charged with helping an inmate escape says the inmate had become friends with the prison’s warden. Anne Brooks testified Wednesday in the trial of Bobbi Parker. Parker is charged with helping convicted killer Randolph Dial escape the Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite where her husband – Randy Parker – was deputy warden. Brooks was Randy Parker’s secretary and testified that Dial and prison Warden Jack Cowley spoke frequently inside the prison. She said she didn’t trust Dial and called him “that conniving inmate.” Prosecutors say Bobbi Parker fell in love with Dial and helped him escape in 1994. Defense attorneys say Dial kidnapped Parker and held her hostage until they were found in Campti, in Shelby County, Texas, in 2005.

Ore City Woman Charged with Murder


GILMER — An Ore City woman was charged with murder Tuesday evening in connection with a body that was found in a burned out vehicle in Upshur County. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Upshur County Sheriff Anthony Betterton said 43-year-old Sharon Stanley Maxwell was arrested around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday after investigators determined that the case was “suspicious in nature.”

Betterton said authorities were dispatched to a residence on Texas 155 north of Gilmer around 11:15 a.m. Tuesday in connection with a vehicle fire. They discovered a body in the vehicle after it was extinguished. Upshur County spokesman Freddie Fitzgerald said due to the condition of the body, authorities were unable to positively identify the victim. Justice of the Peace Lyle Potter pronounced the victim dead at the scene and an autopsy was ordered from Southwest Forensic Center in Dallas. Maxwell remained jailed on $750,000 bond, charged with murder.

Tyler Police Investigate Death of Infant


TYLER — Tyler police are investigating the death of a two-month-old child. Wednesday morning just after 10:00, Tyler Police, Fire and EMS responded to 727 South Porter on a report of an unresponsive infant boy. The infant was transported to Mother Frances Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by emergency room personnel. The infant is identified as Michael Salas. Tyler Investigators say they found no evident signs of foul play. Judge Quincy Beavers ordered an autopsy which will be conducted by Southwest Forensics in Dallas. Child Protective Services was notified of the incident.

Delek Refining Upgrading Emergency Notification System

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department was notified today that Delek Refining, located at 425 McMurrey, will be upgrading the emergency notification system at their facility. As part of the upgrade, they will be testing the system periodically throughout the day. Because of this, sirens may be heard in the surrounding neighborhoods. Delek hopes to be finished with the project by the end of today. Please contact the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office at (903) 535-0005 for more information.