Man Facing Charges Following Alleged False Report


LONGVIEW — A restaurant employee is facing charges following a Monday afternoon Longview incident in which a robbery was reported. At around 12:39 p.m. Monday, officers were dispatched to Dickies Barbecue at 2330 Judson Rd. Upon arrival officers were told that Andrew Gugliuzzi had been robbed at gunpoint. During the investigation, the alleged victim was arrested on an unrelated, outstanding, Gregg County warrant. After further investigation, police say they determined Gugliuzzi had filed a false report with police. Gugliuzzi is facing charges of false report to a police officer and felony theft.

Couple Charged with Child Abuse

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman and her husband remain jailed after being charged with indecency with child and two counts of assault. The charges involve two boys younger than 17 years old, police said. Crystal Charie Vanlandingham, 32, was arrested Friday after a warrant for her arrest was issued in connection to the sexual assault of a boy. Her bond was set at $50,000. James Bennett Davis, 34, was arrested Dec. 1 in connection to the assault of his mother and two boys. His bond was set at $40,000.

According to arrest reports, the boy said Vanlandingham tried to inappropriately touch him during Thanksgiving. He said similar events happened around Dec. 1. Police said several prior reports had been filed against Davis at the time of his arrest, one from another family member and two from the boys.

Houston Trucker Arrested for Drunk Driving

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies arrest a man at an Interstate 20 truck stop. Authorities say Richard Lopez, 27, Angleton, was so drunk, he thought he was in Houston. Deputies say he was eating when they arrived and he asked why Houston Police were questioning him. Lopez has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and driving while intoxicated. Authorities say he rammed a vehicle at a red light along Loop 323 and FM 14.

More Copper Theft in East Texas


ANDERSON COUNTY — The Anderson Country Sheriff”s office is following leads in the burglaries of three businesses targeted for their copper. Sometime earlier this month, thieves cut off the locks on three buildings in the 23,000 block of U.S. 287. They then stripped all of the businesses of their copper wire. Copper wire is frequently stolen because of its resale value. Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor says the Texas Legislature is expected to consider “toughening up” laws relating to the sale of copper wire when it convenes next year.

Dad Arrested for Child’s Injury


TYLER — Smith County officials say a 2-month-old child’s father has been arrested after the baby suffered a skull fracture. The child remains in critical condition at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. The child was originally transported to a local hospital, but was later moved to Dallas. The father of the child says he found his 12-month-old jumping on the two month old. When he went to remove the two month old, he dropped the baby. The dad later admitted to officers he was under the influence of alcohol when he hit the youngster out of frustration. Saul Lino-Porcayo, 23, was charged with injury to a child and placed in the Smith County Jail in lieu of a $500,000 bond. Authorities say the father has a history of assault and was jailed in 2005.

Tyler Robbery Reported


TYLER – Tyler police are looking for four men who robbed a man shortly after 6:00 Monday night in the 700 block of West Shaw. The victim was sitting in a car when a black man beat on his window and told him to get out of the car. The suspect, who was wearing a white muscle shirt and had a bandana over his face, was armed with a revolver.

When the victim got out of the car he got into a scuffle with the suspect and was forced to the ground. He was then told to hand over his wallet, which he did. The victim said with the suspect were three other men, all with masks over their faces. After getting the his wallet, the men fled on foot south on Vine Street. The victim was not injured.

Hopkins County Fatality


CUMBY — A woman was killed Monday morning in a head on collision between an 18-wheeler and an SUV. It happened around 3:30 on Interstate Highway 30 in Cumby. State troopers say the woman driving a Ford Escape with a Dallas registration was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane. Cumby police tried to intercept her but were unable to before she collided with the truck. At last report, the victim’s name had not been released.

Man Loses Home to Fire

FLINT — A Flint man was left without a home Sunday after a fire broke out on his property. It happened about 11:30 Sunday morning near the corner of Eastern Hills Drive and Lakeview Drive in the Pine Trail Shores subdivision. Ted English lived alone with his two pets, a dog and a cat. Officials say, while loading his wood-burning stove, his home caught fire. Responders on the scene say five different fire departments were called in to fight the fire in English’s mobile home. The American Red Cross is providing assistance for English.

In 1999, English’s wife Mary was murdered by her own brother. English said doctors diagnosed him with depression and a stress disorder following the incident, and he hasn’t been successful getting help.

Pizza Delivery Man Robbed


TYLER — Tyler police are investigating the robbery of a pizza delivery driver. It occurred early Sunday morning in the 2500 block of Van Highway. The driver told officers he had stopped to deliver a pizza when he was approached by three Hispanic males. The suspects were armed with handguns. The men robbed him of his cash and then fled on foot. The victim could not give any description of the suspects.

Aggravated Assault Investigated


TYLER – Tyler police continue their investigation into an aggravated assault. It happened Saturday in the 1800 block of North Forest. Investigators say the intoxicated victim claimed a black male attacked him at his residence with a baseball bat and a knife. The victim received a large cut to his wrist in during the altercation and was transported to East Texas Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Two Tyler Officers Promoted


TYLER — A promotion ceremony was held Monday afternoon as Police Chief Gary Swindle promoted Officers Mike Saxion and Matt Leigeber to the position of Sergeant

Officer Mike Saxion was hired by the Tyler Police Department in January 1995. Since that time he has served the Department in the Patrol Division, the Narcotics Unit and the Bike Unit, where he is currently assigned. He also serves the Department as a Field Training Officer and is a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team. Officer Saxion is a certified TCLEOSE instructor and firearms instructor

Officer Saxion was awarded a Medal of Valor bar in 2004, a Meritorious Conduct bar in 2003 and 2006, a Police Commendation bar in 2002 and 2006, a Certificate of Merit bar in 2004 and a Civic Achievement bar in 2006. Officer Saxion was selected as Officer of the Year in 2001.

He has also received a Master Certificate bar, Fifteen Year Safe Driving bar, Three Year Perfect Attendance bar and Distinguished Expert bar for firearms proficiency.

Officer Matt Leigeber was hired by the Tyler Police Department in February 2000 and is assigned to the Patrol Unit.

He has been a SWAT team member for nine years, a Field Training Officer for seven years and worked as a Property Crimes Detective in 2005. Officer Leigeber is a TCLEOSE Instructor, a Firearms Instructor and a Certified Shotgun Breaching Instructor.

Officer Leigeber was awarded a Meritorious Conduct bar in 2004, a Police Commendation bar in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2009, a Life Saving bar in 2005, a Civic Achievement bar in 2010 and was selected as Rookie of the Year in 2002. He has also received a Master Certificate bar and a Five Year Safe Driving bar.

Leigeber has competed at the Texas Police and Fire Games and the World Police and Fire Games in several events including the Biathlon, Police Action Pistol, Precision Pistol competition and the Iron Man competition. He has won numerous medals at the Police Olympics including three gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal and was the overall Men’s champion in the Texas Biathlon event at the Texas Police and Fire Games in 2003.

Literacy Awareness Month 2011

TYLER — January is Literacy Awareness Month, and you’re encouraged to join the battle against illiteracy in East Texas. Over the past two decades, the Literacy Council of Tyler (LCOT) has grown from a handful of 30 students to 2,400 in 2010. Council staffers say Illiteracy and under-education are real problems that have the power to impact every aspect of living, from the economy to unemployment rates and levels of crime. The Literacy Council relies on over 300 volunteers each year. You’re urged to become a volunteer, make a donation or share information about the council with someone in need. For more information, you can contact LCOT’s main office at 903-533-0330.

Lindale ISD Education Foundation Exceeds Campaign Goal

LINDALE — The Lindale ISD Education Foundation is celebrating a successful 2010 campaign after announcing $131,565.97 in gifts. That’s well over the initial campaign goal of $100,000. Executive Director Maya Bethany said, “We cannot say thank you to our donors enough.” During the 2009-2010 school year, the Foundation awarded its first two rounds of grants in the amount of $22,274.66. The Foundation will award its third round of teacher grants in March 2011.

The Lindale ISD Education Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization formed in 2008 to fund innovative classroom projects in Lindale ISD. Funds provided pay for projects and programs not funded or under-funded by the district’s budget. Funds are awarded through teacher grants that expand student knowledge and enhance student performance. The Foundation also recognizes student achievement through the Academic Excellence Recognition Banquet held each May to recognize the top ten graduating seniors and their most influential teachers.