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AUSTIN (AP) — For some Republicans in the Texas House, it’s becoming all about abortion, all the time. Conservative representatives tried to tack obscure anti-abortion measures onto important but otherwise unrelated legislation throughout the day Monday. Liberals countered with long-winded speeches, points of order and other clumsy delaying tactics. As legislators took up a fairly benign proposal creating health cooperatives for private insurance companies, Republican Rep. Bryan Hughes of Mineola proposed an amendment that would bar private insurers statewide from reimbursing patients for abortions once the federal health care act is implemented in Texas. Hughes was eventually forced to scrap that motion, and the House passed the bill Tuesday. Later, however, a bill modifying operation of the state judiciary passed with two amendments related to toughening rules on waiving parental consent for minors seeking to have abortion. Another measure failed to adopt.

WASKOM — FBI investigators on Monday morning were called to assist the Waskom Police Department after Citizens National Bank had their second reported bank robbery this month. Waskom ISD put all of their buildings on lock down for less than an hour after about 10:45 when officials were dispatched to the bank in the 700 block of Texas Spur 156 in Waskom, according to Sandra Rodgers, the superintendent’s secretary.

FBI spokesman Mark White said investigators were still on the scene at around 4 p.m. conducting interviews and canvassing the area to see if neighbors or area residents saw anything. White said it’s possible that Monday’s bank robber could be tied to several other robberies dating back to December. “The physical description and method the robber used was very similar to the person who robbed Citizens National Bank earlier this month, as well as seven or eight other robberies in Shreveport,” White said. “However, investigators are still looking to see if the robberies are connected or isolated.”

The bank was robbed May 6.

NACOGDOCHES (AP) – Two men died when their sport utility vehicle veered off a rural road and slammed through an East Texas mobile home that had been vacated only two days before. The Texas Department of Public Safety report identifies the dead men as Zachtavius Demario Garrett, 30, and Jarome Ramon Murchison, 23. Both were wearing seat belts when they were found dead in the wreckage of their SUV early Monday just behind the mobile home they had crashed through. Neighbors reported they heard a crash about midnight Sunday. No other injuries were reported in the accident about five miles east of Nacogdoches. Mobile home owner Mary Lampin says the woman who had lived there had moved out and into a nursing home on Friday.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say a burglar was caught in the act over the weekend. On Sunday, just before midnight, officers responded to a commercial burglary alarm in the 2100 Block of Gilmer Road. When officers arrived they found a man leaving the building. According to a police report, officers stopped the man and he stated he worked for the business as a plumber. Officers also say they observed several power tools lying inside the suspect’s car. The man was identified as Dereck Alan Duvall 30, of Longview. The officers contacted the business owner. When the owner arrived on scene he told police that Duvall did not work for him. Duvall was arrested for burglary of a building, a state jail felony. Duvall was also arrested for four outstanding city warrants.

TYLER — Monday afternoon classes at Tyler Junior College’s Pirtle Technology Building were canceled for a while yesterday because of a gas leak. The building was back to normal by 5:00pm. Utility crews struck the gas line Monday morning. Faculty and staff evacuated the Pirtle building; about 150 people were inside. Officials say crews hit the gas line when they were attempting to replace an electrical line. There were no injuries.

KILGORE — The name of a woman killed Friday in a vehicle rollover has been released by the Department of Public Safety. Brittnie Bing, 23, of Kilgore was a passenger in a 2001 Chevy Metro that hit a culvert on U.S. Highway 259 south of East Danville Street in Kilgore and rolled. Two people were injured. Driver Wallace Maples, 48, and Jeanie Maples, 48, both of Kilgore are listed in stable condition at Good Shepherd Medical Center. He has a broken shoulder, and she has a leg injury, authorities said.

LONGVIEW — A Longview massage parlor, shut down back in February after a raid, is back open. The Secura Spa, located along the 2000 block of Gilmer Road, was shut down after an undercover raid revealed a couple of workers did not have a massage license. The owner was also arrested for operating a massage parlor without a license. Longview Police say the business is now in compliance.

MOUNT VERNON – Franklin County authorities are trying to identify a body found in a car that had been burned. A passing motorist saw the car Saturday morning off County Road 3170. Investigators feel the victim was killed elsewhere and the car was then driven to southern Franklin county location and set afire. The body has been sent to a lab for autopsy to help identify the victim and to help determine the cause of death.

MARSHALL – A young girl has drowned in a gold fish pond in Harrison County. Marshall police say they received the call shortly after 11:00 Saturday morning. They found the 17-month old girl’s body in about 25 inches of water in the pond next door to the house where her family was visiting. She was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall where she was later pronounced dead. Her name was not released.

UNDATED — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

TYLER – Texas Department of Transportation construction contractor Reynolds & Kay, Ltd., of Tyler, is scheduled to begin work Tuesday night on West Loop 323 between State Highway 155 and U.S. Highway 69 (South Broadway). Crews will be working to repair and resurface the Loop between the hours of 8:00pm and 5:00am Sunday-Thursday through mid-August. Part of the $1.4 million contract calls for repairing storm drain inlets in the same project area, which will require daytime work and overnight lane closures in those locations.

Also this week in Tyler, on the Union Pacific Railroad has rescheduled its plans to close Spur 164 in Tyler, also known as Greenbriar Road, for Tuesday. The road will be closed to all traffic between Spur 364 and State Highway 31 between 7:00am and 7:00pm while the railroad makes repairs to the crossing at that location. Detours will be posted.

Finally this week, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform pavement-texturing operations on Spur 147 (Gentry Parkway) in and around the roadway’s intersections with Glenwood, Palace and Beckham. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

KILGORE – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 259 Business in Kilgore between Lantrip Street to the south end of the US 259 Bypass. The work is being done in preparation for a seal coat application later this summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Beginning Monday, Texas Department of Transportation contractor Barkley Commercial Construction is scheduled to make repairs to damaged bridge railings on the Farm Road 315 bridges over Lake Palestine just south of Chandler. The work is scheduled to last through the end of August. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

Also this week in Henderson County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 2709 between Farm Road 316 in Eustace and State Highway 19 north of Athens. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also this week, TxDOT’s District Wide Seal Coat program could begin work on roadways in Henderson County as early as Wednesday this week, weather permitting. Roads to be sealed include State Highway 31 in Trinidad, Farm Road 2892, and State Highway 19 north of Athens.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs in Jacksonville at the intersection of SW Loop 456 and Farm Road 347 on Tuesday, followed by the same work on State Highway 135 and State Highway 110 in Troup. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on U.S. Highway 287 south of State Highway 294 in Elkhart. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also this week, TxDOT’s District Wide Seal Coat program is scheduled to continue its work in Anderson County in the following locations: On Farm Road 2961 between Farm Road 59 and Farm Road 837; and on State Highway 19 between Farm Road 321 in Montalba and the Henderson County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

WOOD COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation contractor Nixon Engineering is scheduled to begin repairs to the damaged bridge rail on the westbound U.S. Highway 80 bridge over Lake Fork Creek on Wednesday, June 1. The bridge was damaged on April 15. One lane will be closed at all times during the repair.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 3227 between State Highway 198 and Farm Road 47, and on Farm Road 857 just south of Grand Saline. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LANEVILLE – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1662 between Farm Road 1798 in Laneville and Farm Road 2753 in Anadarko. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — Tyler’s Historic Aviation Memorial Museum is stepping up to the plate on behalf of a long-neglected Vietnam War memorial. A number of citizens recently expressed concern over the memorial, which had been vandalized and fallen into disrepair while at Bergfeld Park. Now the memorial has been moved and is undergoing restoration, thanks largely to Tyler Granite. On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” museum board chair Carolyn Verver says the memorial will soon have a very nice new home in the museum’s Memorial Courtyard. Verver says the courtyard features beautiful “knockout” roses and a brick patio — adding that individuals can purchase personalized bricks for the patio as a fundraiser. Verver hopes the war memorial project can be completed by later in the spring or early summer.

You can go to http://www.tylerhamm.org to learn more about the war memorial project and the museum. You also go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to hear the “Staff Meeting” show online beginning early Monday morning.

PALESTINE — 73-year-old retiree Luther T. Harper of Palestine is dead following a one-vehicle accident that occurred around 1:30 Saturday afternoon in Anderson County. A DPS report says Harper was westbound on FM 1137 near Palestine, 7/10 of a mile north of U.S. Highway 84. Authorities say Harper left the roadway, overcorrected, and struck several trees. He was taken to Palestine Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:40 p.m. Saturday. The DPS report says road conditions were clear and dry, and Harper was not wearing a seat belt.

TYLER – It was not your average day at the Goodman-LeGrand museum in Tyler. Saturday afternoon spectators gathered and spent time learning and celebrating history. Museum curator Patricia Heaton told our news partner KETK, “It is our 3rd annual event, and since the house dates back to 1859, we just thought it was a wonderful venue to bring in re-enactors that date back to the Civil War, bring in the heritage artisans that are spinning and weaving. It’s just been one of those events that were just trying to celebrate our heritage.” Along with the sights and sounds of the festival, re-enactor James Neel says events like this are crucial now more than ever. According to Neel,, “The saying is those who do not know the past are condemned to repeat it, and we would prefer not to repeat certain aspects of our past. But if we don’t know what those aspects are, how can we fail to repeat it?”

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – An East Texas lawmaker made his presence felt as the Texas House approved a measure to ban smoking in public places across Texas. The sponsor of the amendment, Denton state Rep. Myra Crownover, said the bill will save $30 million a year in health care costs associated with smoking. She faced fierce opposition from some fellow Republicans, including Longview Rep. David Simpson, who tried to also ban perfume and cologne in public places. But he was shut down by Republican Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, who said he was mocking cancer patients. After hours of debate over property rights, personal rights, and public health, state representatives added the measure to a fiscal matters law. The bill was approved 73-66. Before it can come into force, the bill must still pass through a conference committee and be signed by the governor.

MANGUM, Okla. (AP) – The first week in the trial of a former warden’s wife accused of falling in love with a convicted killer and helping him escape from prison concluded without a jury in place. Greer County, Okla., prosecutors and defense attorneys disqualified several people but chose no new jurors on Friday as they continued efforts to find an impartial panel to hear the case of Bobbi Parker. Jury selection continues today. District Attorney John Wampler has said five people “made the first cut.” Parker is accused of helping Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994 and running away with him. Defense attorneys have said Dial abducted Parker and held her captive until she was rescued at an East Texas chicken ranch in 2005.

TYLER — U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced Friday that 13 Longview residents have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in the Gregg County area. An 18-count sealed indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Tyler on May 11, charging the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hydrocodone and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Some defendants were also charged with multiple counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm or possessing a stolen firearm. A task force of federal, state and local law enforcement officers began arresting those individuals on May 16.

Those named in the federal indictment are Spencer Garod Elam, 37; Derek Lamar Elam, 36; Darrell McGuail Washington, 47; Jefferson Jonathan Taylor, 28; Derek Monte London, 30; Demarcus Antwuan Talley, 29; Kelvin Earl Washington, 34; Korri Dewayne Boyd, 33; Latasha Ann Washington, 30; Dwight Anthony McKinley, 37; Roderick G. Jackson, 23; Lakendrick Carl Freeman, 26; and Willie Thedric Andrews, 27. All except Freeman, Jackson, Latasha Washington, and Talley face additional firearms charges.

If convicted, the defendants each face up to 10 years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and up to life for the firearms violation. Those charged with additional firearms violations face up to 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of cash, firearms, and ammunition.

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested the woman allegedly involved in a May 7 robbery case at Kohl’s Department Store. The suspect is 49-year-old Teresa Ruth Coble of Tyler. Coble was arrested Friday morning after pre-arrangements had been made by investigators for her to turn herself in. She was charged with robbery and is in Smith County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Police say Coble entered the store and selected several clothing and jewelry items. According to police, she then entered a fitting room and concealed the items in a black and brown colored purse that she brought into the store, as well as a red purse that she allegedly took from the store. Police say after leaving the fitting room, Coble exited the store without paying for the merchandise.

Authorities say as Coble walked to her vehicle, she was contacted by a Kohl’s loss prevention employee. The loss prevention employee reportedly asked Coble to return to the store with the stolen items. According to police, Coble refused and continued to walk to her vehicle. Police say Coble was seated in her vehicle with the stolen property belonging to Kohl’s. Authorities say she then backed out of her parking space and drove directly towards the loss prevention employee, allegedly striking the employee’s right hand with the vehicle. Police say Coble then exited the parking lot and drove southbound on S. Broadway. The loss prevention employee received only minor injuries to her hand.

GILMER — A man is in serious condition in a Tyler hospital after losing one leg and injuring another when he was struck by a train in Gilmer. According to Gilmer police, the man was sitting on the railroad tracks near Roosevelt Park when he was struck by a passing train sometime before 11 p.m. Thursday night. Police said they believe the man was intoxicated at the time he was struck by the train. The man was air-lifted to a Tyler Hospital. His name has not been released and the investigation continues, police said Friday morning.

TYLER — A 61-year-old Fort Collins, CO man pleaded guilty to federal tax violations in the Eastern District of Texas Friday. Randall Craig, formerly of Bullard, pleaded guilty to failing to file a federal income tax return on May 19, 2011. According to information presented in court, Craig failed to file a federal income tax return for 2003 and pay the income tax due for that year by April 15, 2004. Craig was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 16, 2011 and charged with the tax violation. Craig faces up to one year in federal prison.

TYLER (AP/Staff) — The Smith County district attorney explains his reason for arranging a plea deal for six adults accused of participating in what prosecutors say was a sordid swinger’s club. Judge Jack Skeen ruled that the defendants be sentenced to time served and then freed in the case, in which children as young as 5 were forced to perform sex in Mineola. The three men and three women pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of injury to a child in an unexpected end to a 3-year investigation. Three of them previously were sentenced to life in prison, only to have their convictions overturned. District Attorney Matt Bingham said he still believes the defendants deserve life in prison but offered the plea bargain for the sake of the child victims. They will not be required to register as sex offenders.

Patrick “Booger Red” Kelly, Shauntel Mayo and Jamie Pittman had previously been sentenced to life in prison — Kelly for aggravated sexual assault of a child, and Mayo and Pittman for organized criminal activity. Mayo and Pittman had their convictions overturned. Only Dennis Pittman, who’s appealing his life sentence, didn’t reach a deal.

GLADEWATER – A Union Grove High School English teacher has resigned after being charged with improper relationship between an educator and a student. Arrested Thursday morning was Angela Sue New, 38. She was placed in the Gregg County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bond.

School superintendent Brian Gray said the investigation started after allegations were made. New is accused of being involved with an 18 year old Union Grove student. According to the arrest record, the incident occurred on April 22nd. The investigation was turned over to Gladewater police, who issued an arrest warrant. She was arrested by police from White Oak, where she lives.

WINNSBORO – A state district court jury in Wood County has begun deliberations in the murder case against Ty Jordan Evans, 20, of Longview. He is accused of the May 2009 drive by shooting that killed Anna Marie Moore, 24. She was sitting on the couch playing with her two children when the shooting occurred. This is the second trial for Evans in the case. In January a mistrial was declared when the jury couldn’t reach a decision.

A second suspect is also charged in the case. Demarcus Hearn, of Longview, who turns 23 next Monday, is awaiting trial.

TYLER – The Tyler school district’s new Athletic Director will assume his new duties on Monday. TISD school trustees Thursday night hired Rodney Kaspar as Director of Athletics. He succeeds Danny Long. Kaspar has more 30 years of coaching experience. He comes to Tyler from McKinney, where he has been Assistant Athletic Director.

TYLER – Tyler school officials are considering using a different camp for its outdoor education. For over years 60 TISD has been associated with Camp Tyler. But a vote could come next month that would change that.

At Thursday night’s meeting Jeff Collum, Executive Director of Student Services, presented school trustees a comparison of the Camp Tyler and Pine Cove facilities. They were compared in program availability and costs associated with each facility. According to Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid, Pine Cove was selected for the comparison because the facility has contacted the District wanting an opportunity to be considered for services. Sky Ranch had requested the opportunity as well and it was decided to use the costs associated with Pine Cove because it was financially lower than Sky Ranch.

The cost per camper for Camp Tyler is $200. For about 1400 students, the camp cost would be $286,000, which does not include additional costs of transportation, teachers needed to spend the night, and a shared arrangement to provide a nurse. Pine Cove offers a discount for Title I campuses, and 13 Tyler ISD elementary campuses qualify for this discount rate of $75. For non-Title I campuses the cost is $158 per camper.

Difference of the financial analysis is a cost savings of approximately $150,000.00. TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid added it is not the cost that determines the selection but the value the district receives from the facility.

LINDALE — New trustees for the Lindale Independent School District have been sworn into office. The oath was administered at Thursday’s school board meeting. Kenneth Cline was sworn into office for Place Three and Kelly Cox was sworn in for Place Four. In the picture, Judge James Cowart (middle) swears Kelly Cox (left) and Kenneth Cline (right) into office at yesterday’s LISD school board meeting.

Cline defeated longtime school board member Joe Rodriguez, Jr. by a vote of 546 to 487 in the May 14 election. Cox defeated opponent Dr. Howard Beggs by a vote of 789 to 249. Cox replaces Edward “Buddy” Munn who did not seek re-election.

Rodriguez was presented with a special plaque to commemorate his years of service to the Lindale ISD. Rodriguez had served on the school board since 1999. Munn was unable to attend Thursday’s meeting but will be presented his plaque by district staff at a later time. Munn served on the school board for 12 years, twice serving as board president.

New trustee officers were also voted on at Thursday’s meeting. Brig. Gen. James K. “Red” Brown will retain his position as board president. Matt Watts will serve as vice president in place of Tim Clemmons who nominated Watts for the position. Mike Combs will remain secretary.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau has seen a spike in the volume of inquiries regarding door-to-door alarm sales companies that have hit the streets in both the Longview and Tyler areas. While it is not typical to see this kind of activity in the spring, BBB expects an increase in door-to-door activity during the summer months, as many companies use students on their summer break from school to conduct door-to-door sales.

“Texas law requires any person who offers and/or provides investigations or security services to be properly licensed; those without a license are liable for criminal penalties of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, president and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “What many consumers don’t know is that there are also penalties for hiring or employing an unlicensed alarm system company.”

One victim claims she told the salesperson that she lived in a safe neighborhood and did not need an alarm system at this time. A few days later, she came home to find her door kicked in. Later that afternoon, that same salesperson returned to ask if she had changed her mind.

While the bureau says most alarm companies employ ethical selling practices, BBB advises consumers to use caution and to be aware of the following tricks of those companies who operate dishonestly:

Trick # 1: Don’t count on the salesman in your house being licensed with the state.

Alarm salesmen can work under a licensed salesperson for up to one year before they have to be licensed themselves. In many instances, there is one licensed salesman in the neighborhood “overseeing” the other salesmen. The licensed salesman will generally pop into the house at some point during the sales pitch in order to show that he was present to support the unlicensed salesman. This is not acceptable. Under Texas guidelines, the licensed salesperson must remain for the entire presentation.

Trick #2: Getting rid of your old equipment.

Once an alarm system is sold to a consumer with an existing system, it’s likely the equipment will end up in the trash. The downside to this is that you might not actually own the equipment. In many cases, the existing equipment is leased. Expect to continue to receive a bill for the old equipment even if it’s already in the dumpster.

Trick #3: You’re not under any obligation to your existing alarm company.

Another deceptive practice used by unethical alarm companies is to tell the consumer that their original contract has expired, and are therefore under no obligation to the existing alarm company. Standard procedure for these types of contracts is for them to automatically renew after the initial contract is completed. In order to terminate the renewal, notify the existing company in writing thirty (30) days prior to the auto-renewal date. Otherwise, once the new alarm system installed, it’s possible you’ll either receive a bill from both companies until the end of the contract, or be obligated to pay a cancellation fee.

Don’t give in to high pressure sales tactics. Take the time to check for licensing and check out the company’s report on http://www.bbb.org to see the company’s complaint history and company history. Remember it is worth the time to do your homework before making any purchasing decision. It’s also in your best interest from local vendors. Not only does it help the local economy, it also protects you should you experience problems down the road. Keep in mind that a company from out of town is not likely to return to make any repairs or to make adjustments to your service. To see if an alarm company’s license is current, go to http://www.txdps.state.ts.us/psb or call BBB at (903)581-5704. To report a fraud or scam, call the BBB Hotline: (903) 581-8373.

MANGUM, Okla. (AP) – Jury selection continues in Greer County District Court for the trial of a former warden’s wife accused of falling in love with an inmate and helping him escape. The fourth day of jury selection began Thursday in the trial of Bobbi Parker. Defense attorney Garvin Isaacs says the selection process has been slow because attorneys are trying to choose jurors who haven’t been swayed by pretrial publicity. Parker has pleaded not guilty to helping convicted killer Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. Defense attorneys say Dial kidnapped Parker and held her hostage until she was rescued at an East Texas chicken ranch in 2005. Dial maintained until his death in 2007 that he kidnapped Parker.

AUSTIN (AP) — Texans who want to catch catfish using only their bare hands would be able to do so legally under legislation approved by the state Senate. While budget negotiations were teetering on the brink of collapse Thursday, state senators took action to legalize hand fishing, called noodling, in Texas. Right now the fine is $500 for noodling in Texas. The bill would require “noodlers” to have a fishing license and freshwater fishing stamp. Enduring joking questions from fellow senators, bill sponsor Senator Bob Deuell, who has part of Smith County in his district, said he’s never noodled, but that the bill needed to be passed for the “noodlers of Texas.”.

TYLER — Robert E. Lee’s Mike Owens has resigned his duties at Head Football Coach and Campus Athletic Director. Owens is retiring with the hope of reapplying for the job on August 1st. The practice, commonly as retire/rehire, will take effect June 30th. Owens told KTBB Sports that “I fully intend to reapply for the job.” He insists that there has been no deal made with the people at TISD guaranteeing him the position. He also says if he is not rehired he will seek to continue coaching elsewhere. Owens has been the head man at REL since 1996 and won a state championship with the Red Raiders in 2004.

TYLER — Tyler property crime investigators make a significant haul using the off road Yamaha Rhino Police Vehicle to search the median and roadside areas of Highway 69 South to search for stolen property. That follows the recent arrest of an Orange, Texas, man on suspicion of numerous auto burglaries. Investigators searched a 10 mile stretch of the highway on Wednesday and recovered various items that belonged to victims in auto burglaries that occurred this past Sunday in Tyler. Investigators recovered eight purses, two billfolds, two identification cards, numerous credit cards, and one passport. Police say a witness observed a suspect later identified as Brian Linscomb discarding stolen items out his vehicle window as he was leaving Tyler. Investigators advise they will notify the victims if their property was recovered as soon as possible.

Linscomb is suspected in numerous auto burglaries in East Texas, Southeast Texas, and Louisiana; he was arrested Sunday in Lufkin. On Sunday, Tyler police responded to over 30 auto burglaries that occurred during daytime hours in the city of Tyler. The suspect was later identified as Linscomb, 44. He’s suspected of breaking into vehicles at Willowbrook Country Club, Bergfeld Park, Faulkner Park, Rose Rudman Park, Woodcreek Center, Broadway Square Mall, Children’s Park, Tyler Tennis and Swim, and Tyler Internal Medicine.

A witness followed Linscomb’s vehicle down 69 South towards Mixon. Law enforcement authorities were notified of the information on Linscomb’s vehicle and determined that he was wanted out of Orange, Texas, for felony auto burglary, with a $100,000 bond. Linscomb was spotted in Lufkin Sunday night and was taken into custody by authorities. Linscomb is a suspect in over 92 cases of auto burglary in Louisiana. Tyler investigators are checking into the incidents that occurred Sunday in Tyler, and charges are pending.