Police Jail Theft-Attempt Suspects, One Theft Still Under Investigation
By Mary Jane Farmer for the Van Alstyne News, Scene In Town. The Van Alstyne News does not print suspects’ names until/unless they are indicted, unless an offense is classified as a First-Degree Felony.
Monday of this week (Jan. 29, 2024), Van Alstyne Police received information from United Ag & Turf, home of John Deere various farming and lawn care vehicles, that they suspected an individual of possibly having committed Online fraud in order to gain possession of a tractor, loader, and other various equipment, together worth about $7o,000. The suspected individual(s) were to arrive later that day to take possession of the equipment.
VAPD Lt. Steven Hayslip reported that, “Once officers were able to confirm the information, police staged in the area awaiting the suspects’ arrival.” They arrived driving a pickup truck and a trailer which they purported to carry the items away.
Police made contact with these two men, both from Fort Worth, and took them into custody without incident, Hayslip added. Police also found several IDs, which did not belong to them, in their possession, along with a firearm.
Both suspects were charged with three Felony 3 offenses: Securing/Execution of a Document by Deception, Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information, and Theft between $30,000-$150,000. They also charged one of the suspects with Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon. Police impounded the truck and trailer.
Hayslip said that they are continuing the investigation, working with other law enforcement agencies because they suspect the men “are responsible for similar acts at other locations.”
Both suspects remain in Grayson County Jail in lieu of $70,000 total bail, and a magistrate set additional bail on the second suspect’s charge of unlawfully carrying a weapon at $2,500.
Still under investigation is the theft of construction material, reported to police on Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2024).
Hayslip said that they were called to the Mantua Project about 3 p.m. that afternoon to begin investigation into the theft of the materials, valued at about $3,500. It is believed the thief/thieves hit the site between noon Tuesday and about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.
“At this time, there is no suspect,” Hayslip said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Van Alstyne Police at 903-482-5251.
Category: Van Alstyne News
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Why aren’t their names posted?
Mainly because of the “innocent until proven guilty” rule of law, and also because I, too, live in this area.