Latest news with #TexasDPS
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Investigators say unsafe speed a factor in deadly West Texas crash
Investigators believe speed was a factor in a single-vehicle crash that left one man dead Tuesday evening in Motley County. Anthony Marquis Natividad, 20 of Pecos, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that was reported about 5:50 p.m. on FM 94 about two miles northeast of Northfield, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Investigators believe Natividad was driving a 2024 International HV-507 south on FM 94 when the vehicle entered a left curve in the roadway at an unsafe speed and lost control. The vehicle went into a side skip and rolled before coming to a rest. Natividad was not wearing a seatbelt. The speed limit on the road was 75 mph, but it was not immediately clear how fast investigators believe the vehicle was traveling. Other factors contributing to the crash were not immediately clear as the investigation is ongoing. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Investigators say unsafe speed a factor in deadly West Texas crash
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Fancy Cars, Foiled Plans: Plano Busts $1.5M Luxury Theft Ring
North Texas authorities have dismantled a high-end vehicle theft ring, recovering more than $1.5 million worth of luxury cars in a multi-agency operation that led to several arrests. The investigation, led by the Plano Police Department and supported by state and federal partners, ended with a series of coordinated sweeps across the Dallas-Fort Worth area on June 11, according to NBC 5. This coordination began when Plano investigators began investigating a 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre that had been stolen from a valet stand and noticed that the suspect drove a 2025 Mercedes S63 AMG, which the Texas Department of Public Safety was already monitoring, according to Fox 4. Plano Police Detective Jerry Minton further detailed the investigation, stating that the department 'piggybacked off of Texas DPS and Dallas PD,' who were already working on the case alongside the FBI, as reported by Fox 4. Minton explained that the various agencies were each tracking individual suspects believed to be involved in separate cases, but quickly realized they were 'working the same suspects' after sharing information about the cases, according to WFAA. A warrant was then obtained, and a sweep was conducted by Dallas SWAT, Plano PD, and the FBI in the 8300 block of Alto Garden Drive in Dallas, according to NBC 5. Officials then learned about a second location that could be housing vehicles further down on Alto Garden, resulting in a second warrant and sweep being conducted on the property. A total of 19 vehicles were recovered during the operation, some of which were reported stolen from out-of-state locations. The recovered vehicles included a Rolls-Royce Spectre, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, a Cadillac Escalade-V, a Maserati Levante, and an Audi RS7, with a combined value of approximately $1.5 million, according to Fox. This investigation led to the arrest of three suspects who were allegedly involved in the thefts. 27-year-old Miguel Angel Hernandez, 28-year-old Oscar Ivan Valdez, and 29-year-old Salvador Hernandez were arrested and have been charged with theft of property over $300,000, which is a first-degree felony, according to CBS News. Salvador and Miguel Hernandez have already posted bail in the amount of $50,000. Valdez remains in police custody on a $1 million bail, with the Plano Police Department stating that he has a total of 15 outstanding felony warrants.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Yahoo
San Angelo man accused of interfering with DPS aircraft during police operation
A San Angelo man was arrested on suspicion of interfering with a Texas Department of Public Safety aircraft during a police operation, according to the DPS. On Tuesday, the DPS Aircraft Operations Division was assisting the San Angelo Police Department with a local operation, a media release stated. "During surveillance, the aircraft was targeted by a green laser light," the release stated. "The aircrew shielded their eyes and began efforts to locate the individual responsible for shining the laser at the helicopter. The suspect was quickly identified and apprehended by Texas Highway Patrol Troopers." Emilio Partida, 45, was arrested and transported to the Tom Green County Jail, where he was booked for illuminating an aircraft with a laser pointer impairing operator, a class A misdemeanor, according to a media release. He was released at 10 a.m. Wednesday on a $7,500 bond, online records show. Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. A class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine up to $4,000. "In Texas, pointing a laser at an aircraft can result in misdemeanor charges," according to the release. "If the beam impairs the pilot's ability to operate the aircraft, the offense may be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor. Such violations can also carry federal penalties, including substantial fines." More: From fireworks to shows, here's everything to know about Fourth of July in San Angelo More: Health department closes San Angelo restaurant This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Troopers arrest San Angelo man after allegedly interfering with police
CBS News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas DPS on high alert after State Capitol threat
After the credible threat at the Texas Capitol this weekend and the assassinations of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said those things can never be allowed to happen in Texas. Abbott said the Texas Department of Public Safety is on heightened alert after a man was arrested following a threat to a lawmaker who was going to appear at a No Kings rally at the Capitol Saturday. According to DPS, a concerned citizen reported that a man was on his way to the protest Saturday, planning to harm state lawmakers. The Texas State Capitol and grounds were evacuated at 1 p.m. Texas DPS said that the evacuation was out of an abundance of caution. Texas DPS said that as the investigation was underway, the suspect was found driving on SH-71 in Fayette County. Around 1:30 p.m., troopers stopped the suspect vehicle for speeding. During the traffic stop, the suspect, who DPS has not identified at this time, told the trooper he had a handgun in the vehicle. He was arrested on a misdemeanor traffic charge and taken into custody for further questioning about the threat. The gun was also seized. "There was a person on the Capitol grounds with a gun who seemingly had the intent to do harm to a legislator. No more defined than that," Abbott said Monday. "If you're on the Capitol grounds with a gun conveying that type of message, that's a credible threat. That has to be taken seriously. You obviously saw what happened in Minnesota. We need to all make sure nothing ever like that happens in the state of Texas." At this time, no charges related to the alleged threat against state lawmakers have been filed, according to DPS, and the investigation is ongoing. "Death threats are sadly a part of serving in public life today," Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a post on X. While such threats are not often discussed, Patrick said the state handles many each month. He noted that most come from individuals who "go too far in their emails or calls," and that they frequently retract their statements when confronted, insisting they didn't intend harm. Still, he stressed that "all have to be taken seriously." Patrick highlighted the need to differentiate between acceptable discourse and unlawful threats. "There's a difference between free speech complaints, which we welcome, and making death threats," Patrick said in his statement. "The latter can be a crime."
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Texas reps. attending anti-Trump rally warned of 'credible threats'
The Texas Department of Public Safety has warned Saturday that 'credible threats' have been made to state legislators and their staff who plan to attend an anti-Trump rally at the Capitol in Austin. This comes hours after two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot by a former appointee of the state's governor , Tim Walz. The DPS alert was sent out just before 1pm on Saturday, according to emails obtained by The Texas Tribune . Austin's 'No Kings Day' protest was scheduled to begin at 5pm, and roughly a half hour before, Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair and state Rep. Gene Wu confirmed it would commence as planned, despite the threats. 'We have every indication from the Austin No Kings organizers and Hands Off Central TX that our demonstration will continue,' Wu said in a statement. 'We are in active conversations with public safety officials, as well as state and local leaders to ensure have the opportunity to exercise their First Amendment rights without fear, intimidation, or violence,' he added. And ten minutes before 5pm, a man was arrested in connection to the threats made this afternoon, a spokesperson with Texas DPS told A state trooper with DPS arrested the man in La Grange, a city 65 miles southeast of Austin. The spokesperson said there is no longer an active threat against the Austin protest, which is one of more than 2,000 'No King Day' events across the country on Saturday meant to protest President Donald Trump's actions in his second term. Officials scheduled to speak at the Capitol protest include Democratic US Reps. Greg Casar and Lloyd Dogfgett; Democratic state Reps. Lulu Flores and John Bucy III; and Democratic state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt. Organizations involved with coordinating this large-scale resistance are strongly pushing back against what they describe as Trump's march toward authoritarianism on issues such as immigration enforcement, civil rights and cuts to the federal government through DOGE. The simple message people involved want to get across is that 'we don't do kings in America,' said Ezra Levin, the co-executive director of progressive organizing group Indivisible. The protests were also meant to counter Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C. , which began at 6:30pm ET. The threat against Austin's 'No Kings Day' protest came at a particularly sensitive moment. Early on Saturday morning, a gunman entered the residence of Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday, shooting both and leaving them critically injured. He then proceeded to the home of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, where she and her husband were fatally shot. Both lawmakers who were shot were Democrats. Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who was appointed by Walz in 2019 to serve a four-year stint on the Governor's Workforce Development Board, has been identified as the suspect in the quadruple shooting. The first shooting occurred just after 2am at Hoffman's home in Champlin, about 20 miles from Minneapolis. Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times, KSTP reported. The second attack took place at around 4am at Hortman's Brooklyn Park residence, eight miles south. After that shooting, police engaged the suspect in a gunfight on the street, officials said. Drew Evans, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, confirmed that the suspect escaped during the exchange and remains at large. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Boelter stands at 6-foot-1, weighs roughly 220 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes.
