Dallas police have arrested a suspect in two recent armed robberies in the Oak Lawn and Uptown areas, according to an e-mail we received late Friday afternoon from Nancy Weinberger, a volunteer with the Oak Lawn crime watch group. We’re still trying to confirm the arrest with Dallas police. Both robberies involved the victim being kidnapped and forced to drive, at gunpoint, to ATMs to withdraw cash. The first incident began late Sunday night at the Office Depot on Oak Lawn Avenue, and the second occurred Monday at the Katy Trail Animal Hospital on McKinney Avenue. The Dallas Morning News picked up the story Friday morning, two days after we reported it here on Instant Tea. Anyhow, here’s Weinberger’s e-mail:
I have been advised that DPD has made an arrest related to the two recent
robberies…where the people were forced to drive to ATM’s to withdraw $$$$.
One occurred in the Office Depot parking lot about 11 pm Sunday night and
the other occurred about 6:45 am Monday in the 4100 block of McKinney.
There was an article about the incidents in this morning’s newspaper.
Suspect sounded like same person. Arrest made early this am.
Thanks to Chief Aziz and Lt Overstreet for getting me this information as
quickly as possible.
Have a good weekend!
Reminder: This doesn’t mean you should let your guard down.
UPDATE: According to a press release from DPD, the suspect is facing charges related to the McKinney Avenue incident but not necessarily the first incident on Oak Lawn Avenue. The suspect, whose name hasn’t been released, was nabbed on Thursday night after he was spotted leaving the Exxon station at Maple and Oak Lawn. Here’s the full release:
Notable Arrest by DPD
On September 27, 2010, at approximately 6:45 a.m., the suspect carjacked and robbed a complainant at gunpoint at 4151 McKinney Avenue. The suspect drove the complainant to an ATM where the complainant was forced to withdraw money. The suspect then forced the complainant to drive to Ervay and Grand where the suspect fled on foot. Investigators processed the crime scene and obtained forensic evidences which allowed them to identify the suspect. Investigators walked an arrest warrant for the suspect. After an attempt to locate the suspect at his residence rendered negative results, the information was forwarded to each of the patrol divisions. On September 30, 2010, at about 10:30pm, Central Deployment Unit observed the suspect leaving the Exxon Station at Maple and Oak Lawn. The suspect was taken into custody. The identity of the suspect will not be released at this time because investigators are waiting to conduct a photo line up. The Aggravated Robbery incident is documented on incident number 269715X.
Why is it that I have to hear about incidents about my neighborhood on Instant Tea and not from the crime watch group? Why is this information only getting to merchants and not to the people who actually LIVE in Oak Lawn?
tisha,because no one cares,residents especially.i recently moved from the oak lawn area because of the crime and peoples disreguard for thier environment,the only culture in oak lawn/uptown is booze and partying,the lack of parking for the strip bars brings crime,and it floods to all areas around it.i lived in oak lawn for 5 years and really thought the people cared about thier neighborhood.i went to crime watch meetings and i was very surprised that there were not many people there,yet i read where people say they are concerned,want something done,etc.i will blame dallas police some,because most crime watch meetings were not adressing the real issues,like break ins and hookers and drug deals on every corner,people being followed into thier gated properties,most crime watch meetings were about swine flu prevetntion and home owners associations,when i expressed my concerns i was not payed attention too,so i eventually gave up after going for almost 3 years,but i am still bothered that people of the gay community in dallas fail to get involved,oak lawn is seen as a party spot,and thats it,people that dont live in oak lawn come to party and trash it,people that live in oak lawn seem to dont mind the crime,so they choose not to get involved,oak lawn could be great,it takes residents to take a stand against crime and want a better environment.
i need to add that a parking ordinance would greatly reduce crime around the strip bars,does anyone remember greenville ave before the parking ordinance?residents took a stand and had enough,i really didnt like stepping out of my gated property and seeing used condoms,broken auto glass,beer bottles and needles and trash everywhere,no im not saying that people getting involved and a parking ordinance would solve all of it but it sure would help.
Jen, I go to the crime watch meetings in Oak Lawn and its filled with residents, business people, property owners and property managers exchanging information with DPD representatives who are actively involved.
This is a good arrest, and the DPD should be recognized for doing a good job. Where are all the keyboard “experts” who are quick to blame the police every time there’s a crime in Oak Lawn?
TG for the voice. It’s the only media outlet that reported the suspect arrest.
Art has a good point. Like most crime watch programs throughout Dallas it is up to each resident to get him or herself involved. Perhaps this blog could publish the email address of the Oak Lawn crime watch group so interested persons can contact them.