Police and Other Legal Activity Since Feb. 14

Mary Jane Farmer | February 27, 2024 | Reply

By Mary Jane Farmer for the Van Alstyne News, Scene In Town. Note: An indictment is not proof of guilt, but is a formal charge.

Law enforcement activity in recent days has resulted in arrests, an indictment, and searches for information to help the officers complete their investigation.

Indictment

The most recent setting of the Grayson County Grand Jury had them indicting a Van Alstyne man on a criminal charge. Douglas William Crook, 51, is now wanted on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Van Alstyne Police Lt. Steven Hayslip said that they received a call in the Spring of 2022, asking for police to go to a home in the 1200 block of Redden Road in regard to a suspicious vehicle. Crook was at the site and was the owner of the suspicious vehicle. During police officers’ talk with Crook, they determined he was intoxicated in a public place and was a danger to himself and/or others. Police placed him under arrest then on a charge of Public Intoxication. Following protocol, police took a vehicle inventory before having the vehicle towed, they found a shotgun inside it. They also found prescription pills not in Crook’s name, Hayslip said. That resulted in charges of Possession of Controlled Substances and of Unlawful Carry of a Weapon w/ Felony Conviction. He posted bail of $15,000 in surety bonds for his release.

Grayson County Jail records show that the suspect has since been jailed on a charge of Driving While Intoxicated 3^rd or More offense, but. Has not been indicted on that charge. While incarcerated, the Sheriff’s Office records show, bail bondsmen came off bail on several previous charges

Vandalism

On February 19, at about 1:15 a.m., officers were sent to the 500 block of Manchester in reference to vandalism. The reporting party told Police that unknown people had vandalized the home by throwing eggs and damaging a tire on a vehicle.

Hayslip asked, “If anyone has any information, please contact Det. Ingram at the police department.” That phone number is 903-482-5251.

Sexual Assault

On Feb. 15, Van Alstyne Police jailed a Van Alstyne woman on a charge of Indecency w/ Child (by) Sexual Contact. it involved roommates. Hayslip said There was no physical resistance when police made the arrest, that she knew about the investigation. More info cannot yet be provided as this is an on-going investigation.

The suspect remains incarcerated with bail set at $200,000 payable in surety bonds with conditions attached.

Kiersten Dunn

Sheriff’s Office seeking info

On Tuesday, February 20, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators responded to an area on Whitney Road in Sherman on a call of a deceased person, identified as 20-year-old Kiersten Dunn of Sherman, reported S.O. Capt. Marty Hall. More details are not yet available as it is still an ongoing investigation.

Investigators are currently searching for anyone who knew her whereabouts prior to February 20 and anyone she had contact with in the month of February.

If you have any information that could assist in the investigation of Kiersten Dunn’s death, please contact Investigator Harris, 903-813-4200 extension 1012 or email: hunter.harris@co.grayson.tx.us.

Other Arrests

Hayslip reported that, other than these incidents, there was no (local) thefts, burglaries, robberies, or such during this time frame. There were 3 warrant arrests unrelated to crimes in Van Alstyne, but which were for serious offenses.