DPD’S Bait Car Unit Sees It’s Highest Arrest Rate Since 2015

 

The Dallas Police Department’s Mobile Surveillance Unit finished out 2019 with 192 bait car activations that yielded 217 arrests for the year. The numbers are the highest since 2015.

“The Mobile Surveillance Unit expanded in early September of this year and has seen great success since adding more members to the squad and centralizing the program,” said Emily Davis, Dallas Police Department’s Mobile Surveillance Unit Manager. “We expect more of the same in 2020.”

In 2015, 384 arrests were made. That number dropped to 213 in 2016. It declined even more in 2017 to 99 arrests. However, the unit saw a resurgence of nearly 118% for 2018, ending the year with 216 arrests.

Davis said there’s no question that the numbers being produced are due to the expansion of the program and its officers. Another factor to consider is the unit’s collaborative efforts with other units when it comes to surveillance operations. Members of the unit have worked hard to spread the word about the cars’ capabilities and usage.

Now that officers in the unit are more centralized, they can target high crime areas more efficiently and utilize the vehicles and trackers more broadly throughout the department. The unit plans to continue expanding, optimistically looking for more success than in years past.

 

DG

Auto Theft Prevention

Capture 4

Prevent Auto Theft and Burglary!!!

The Auto Burglary Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) and the Dallas Police Department recommends the following tips to prevent citizens from becoming victims of auto theft and break-ins while attending fitness locations.

  • Never leave your vehicle unattended with keys in the ignition.
  • Do Not Leave Extra Keys in the Vehicle.
  • Park in busy and well-lit areas
  • Do not leave valuables (GPS, GPS holder, cell phone, iPads, etc.) in view
  • Equip your vehicle with an alarm or other anti-theft devices
  • Never leave your vehicle registration or other personal documents in your vehicle.
  • Secure & lock your gym locker with a heavy-duty combination or padlock.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and report any strange activity to police and the fitness location.

A trend was identified where suspects would find car keys and credit cards in unlocked lockers and obtain access to the vehicles. On occasion the suspects would cut small, light steel locks to gain access. Make sure to use a heavy-duty lock.

Following these safety tips should help prevent you from becoming a victim of auto theft and/or break-ins.  But if you do become a victim of auto theft, report it immediately. Provide local authorities with the make/model/license plate and vehicle ID number (VIN). A good idea is to keep a photo of your vehicle with the license plate number on your smartphone so that you can show officers. This will help get your vehicle information into the National Database faster.

Auto Theft and Burglary Prevention Tips

The Dallas Police Department Auto Theft Unit  would like to remind everyone of a few tips to help prevent auto theft and burglary this summer. 

LOCK YOUR DOOR.

This seems like a simple tip, but many people leave their vehicles unlocked and thieves looking for an easy target will walk through parking lots and neighborhoods checking vehicle door handles. Also, don’t leave valuables or extra keys in your car – especially not in plain sight! Leaving valuables visible in your vehicle makes you more likely to become a car burglary victim! 

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE RUNNING.

Please turn off the ignition and lock your door when you exit your vehicle. Many offenses are taking place when people leave their vehicles running as they run in the store to pay for gas, to get a drink, or to let the car warm up. Whenever you exit the vehicle always turn it off and lock your door.

LOCK THE TAILGATE ON YOUR TRUCK.

Lately, thieves have been targeting tailgates on trucks that are left unlocked. Tailgates can cost up to $7,000.  Save yourself the time and money by locking your tailgate. You can purchase tailgate locks at any part accessory store. Tailgates are not outfitted with an identification number, so it is a challenge to properly identify and return it back to the victim.  

CALL 9-1-1. 

Call 9-1-1 to make a police report  as soon as you notice your car has been burglarized or stolen. Also, be sure to call 9-1-1 to report any suspicious activity, persons, or vehicles.

The Dallas Police Department relies on the solid partnership with our community to help keep criminals off the street. Please do your part by taking preventive action and spreading the word. You can make a difference.

 

Car Burglar Caught on Camera

The Dallas Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a burglary suspect who was captured on camera. On November 16, 2016 at about 1:30 a.m., the suspect pictured below burglarized a vehicle in the 10800 block of Ferguson Road. This offense is documented on case number 274361-2016.

Anyone who recognizes this suspect is asked to contact Detective Winkler of the Northeast Investigative Unit 214-671-0165.

3 2 1

Keeping Dallas Safe: Northeast Officers Arrest Suspects for BMV

On Friday, August 5, 2016 at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Northeast Division Deployment Unit was in the White Rock Lake area for a BMV (Burglary of a Motor Vehicle) initiative. The covert officers observed a known BMV suspect vehicle enter the parking lot in the 8000 block of E. Mockingbird Lane.  The officers observed a Black male suspect exit the suspect vehicle, break the window of the victim’s vehicle, and remove property.  The suspects then fled onto Mockingbird Lane, at which time the covert officers called for cover from uniformed officers and the Air 1 Helicopter. Uniformed elements tried to stop the suspect vehicle, but the vehicle evaded the officers. The officers spotted the suspects a short time later near North West Highway and Shady Brook.  The suspects evaded from the officers again. Air 1 then followed the suspect vehicle all the way to Metropolitan and Colonial in South Dallas where the suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Officers from the Northeast and Southeast Divisions apprehended the suspects a short time later.

The officers found property of ten different victims in the suspect vehicle.  All of the BMV offenses occurred on August 5, 2016 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.  All of the victim’s were contacted and recovered their stolen property.   

The suspects have been identified as Osborne, Anthony B/M/32 and McMillan, Joshua B/M/22. They have been charged with Burglary of a Vehicle, Evading Arrest, and Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information. 

Thanks to the great work of the Northeast Deployment Unit, Northeast Patrol officers, Southeast Patrol officers, 2.0 officers, and Air 1 these suspects are off the street and the victims were able to recover their property. Excellent work! 

Burglary of A Motor Vehicle Offense – Suspect Information Wanted

The Dallas Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance regarding information for the offense of Burglary of a Motor Vehicle which took place July 1, 2016.

On July 1, 2016, the victim withdrew $4,100 cash from his bank located at Forest Lane and Interstate Highway 635. He then drove a short distance (5 minutes) away to an apartment complex located in the 9000 block of Markville Drive where he parked his vehicle near the front office. The victim left the  US Currency in his vehicle console and went inside.  While inside the apartment office a video surveillance camera captured a suspect vehicle, a Nissan Rogue Texas plate HDT8139, pass by the front office, turn around, and enter the parking lot as the victim exited his vehicle. After the victim went inside, the suspect vehicle drove behind the victim’s vehicle, a suspect exits, enters the victim’s car and then fled  the location with the victim’s money. It is believed that the suspect  followed the victim from the bank to the offense location and committed the offense Burglary of a Motor Vehicle.

If you have any information regarding this offense or the suspect vehicle please contact Detective Winkle at 214.671.0165 or Stephen.winkler@dpd.ci.dallas.tx.us. This offense is documented on case number 159356-2016.

Getaway Bike

On December 16, 2015, at about 10:00 a.m., Dallas Police Detectives contacted officers of the Northwest Crime Response Team (CRT) regarding a burglary video. The video showed a vehicle getting burglarized in the 2500 block of Walnut Hill Lane which caught a good visual of the suspect before leaving the location on a bicycle. The video gave a great description of the suspect and his clothing. The officers were asked to review the video based on their working knowledge of the area in which the crime occurred. The officers quickly set up a plan to search for the suspect. They thought that he could possibly be homeless, or part of a group that frequents the illegal game halls, one of which was right around the corner from the offense location. It was also believed that with the colder weather coming in, the chance of the suspect still wearing the same clothes was greater. The officers put the plan into motion and began their search. As they canvased the crime scene, they located shoe prints outside of the fence near the vehicle that had been burglarized.

Within an hour of the search, the suspect was located stepping out from behind a dumpster in the 3000 block of Webb Chapel Extension, several miles from the offense location. The suspect was still wearing the same clothing from the video and the sole print of the shoes the suspect was wearing matched the prints at the crime scene. The officers took the suspect into custody and arrested the suspect for Burglary of a Motor Vehicle.

These officers demonstrated great teamwork, attention to detail and an enormous amount of knowledge of their division. Awesome work!!!

Technology Used To Make Great Arrest!

Car Burglar

On September 13, 2015, at approximately 9:40 a.m., Officers P. Roth, #9799, and D. Richmond, #9666, responded to the 2300 block of Stemmons Trail regarding a Burglary of a Motor Vehicle. During the course of the investigation, the officers were informed that amongst the property taken was an iPhone. The officers were quick on their feet and activated the iPhone’s tracking feature, leading them to the suspects and the stolen property. The tracking feature steered the officers to the 10900 block of Harry Hines Boulevard. Once Roth and Richmond arrived to the possible location of the stolen property, they spotted the suspects’ vehicle parked at a hotel.  The officers discovered that the vehicle that the suspects were operating was also listed as stolen. 

Officers Roth and Richmond’s investigation directed them to a room inside the hotel where they observed three suspects and the stolen property. The officers recovered the property, the stolen vehicle, and a weapon that was also found at the scene. The officers did an outstanding job in investigating this offense, resulting in the solving of other offenses committed by this suspect:

  • Candelario Orona L/m/26

The charges from this arrest include Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Officers Roth and Richmond did an outstanding job!!!

Car Burglars Caught on Video Surveillance


 

On August 22, 2015, at approximately 1:00 P.M., officers responded to a burglary of a motor vehicle in the 1300 block of North Buckner Boulevard. Witnesses said they observed two Black male suspects in an unknown white vehicle. They observed one of the suspects enter the victim’s vehicle and take U.S. currency.  It is believed that the suspects may have observed the victim conducting an earlier banking transaction and followed the victim to the offense location. This offense is documented on case number 195055-2015.

The Dallas Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating suspects that committed this offense.  If anyone has any information regarding the suspects or this offense, please contact Northeast Investigative Detective Winkler at 214-671-0165.

 

Help Identify Person of Interest

sw1

On December 14, 2014, at about 3:20 PM a Burglary of a Motor Vehicle offense occurred in the 4300 block of Quiet Lane that was observed by a witness. The witness described a Latin male in his 20’s wearing a blue jacket forced entry into the vehicle and took a purse. It was reported that a purse was taken containing credit cards. During the investigation, it was discovered that the pictured person of interest used a credit card that was taken from the vehicle that was burglarized. If you know the identity of the person pictured please contact Detective Avila of the Dallas Police Department Property Crime Unit at 214-671-0550.