Crime Blog | Your filter to El Paso area police blotters and court dockets

School bus safety week in Texas

This week is National School Bus Safety Week, and Texas state troopers will be out in force to make sure school children make it to and from school safely. Texas Highway Patrol troopers in many rural areas of the state will be riding on or following school buses to catch motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses. It's against the law to pass a stopped school bus that has its red lights activited. Citations can cost up to $1,000. Troopers will also be patrolling areas where school buses pick up and drop off children. "The safety of children riding on school buses is important, and we will do everything we can ensure that Texas drivers obey the law," said Steven McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Last year, there were 762 crashes involving school buses in Texas. In those crashes, one person died and 89 people suffered serious injuries. During 2010, troopers wrote 414 tickets to motorists caught passing a stopped school bus.

LC police seeking witnesses in crash

Las Cruces Police are looking for witnesses of a traffic crash Wednesday near the intersection of north Main Street at Solano Drive.
 
The crash occurred shortly after noon on June 29, and involved a silver Toyota pickup and a silver Ford sedan. No major injuries were reported and possible citations are pending the completion of the investigation, police said.
 
Traffic investigators would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the crash. Witnesses may call traffic investigator Jimmie Brown at (575) 526-0795.

LC man takes city to court over traffic cameras

LAS CRUCES - A New Mexico State University professor is suing the city over red-light and speeding cameras he claims are "unconstitutional."

The photo enforcement cameras at three intersections in Las Cruces, maintained by Redflex Traffic Systems, capture speeding and red light violations. Crist-bal Rodriguez's car was snapped going 48 mph in a 35 mph zone by a camera at Main Street and Solano one weekend in October 2009.

Rodriguez, an assistant professor of education law who is representing himself in this case, argues the city cannot hold him responsible for the violation without evidence of who was driving; his wife primarily drives the car and, that weekend, the vehicle could have been in the hands of a visiting sibling or parent.

"There's never evidence introduced as to who the actual driver is," Rodriguez testified before 3rd Judicial Court Judge Manuel Arrieta on Monday morning.

Read more here.

UTEP Police: Vehicles burglarized in Schuster Street parking lots

News release from the UTEP Police Department:

 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Campus Crime Bulletin

Timely warnings to the UTEP campus community comply with the requirements of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).

Offense: Burglary of Vehicle

Several vehicles were burglarized in the parking lots off Schuster Street on 6/3/10. Entry was made by inserting an unknown instrument in the lock and breaking it. Once inside, the perpetrator(s) stole various items from the vehicles.

Suspect Description:

Two possible suspicious vehicles could be involved:

1. Early 2000 Silver Mustang, dark tinted windows, bearing similar plates to Texas BFGX638 (this plate is not correct).
2. Chevy Suburban bearing TX DBB-890 with chrome rims and chrome fender flares.

If you have any information on this case, please contact the University Police immediately at (915)747-5611 or in person at 3118 Sun Bowl Drive- 24 hours.

Detective Armando Fonseca @ (915)747-6639 -or-Detective Earl Arbogast @ (915)747-6236

Secure Your Vehicle:

· Hide valuables - Never leave keys or valuables in plain view; ( cell-phones, computers, backpacks, purses, i-pods, garage door opener or money) Don't leave the registration or title in your vehicle

· Lock your car - always close all windows and sunroofs completely and lock your trunk, hatchback or tailgate. Invest in a car alarm and use it correctly.

· Take your keys - never leave your keys in your car

· Report suspicious activities or person(s) to University Police immediately. Dial 9-1-1 or (915) 747-5611

Park Safely:

· Park in a well-lighted area

· Check to see that your vehicle is visible to other pedestrian and vehicle traffic

· Avoid parking in alleys

· If you drive a small car, avoid parking between large cars and trucks

· Use the "Buddy System" when walking alone at night

For more information, call The University of Texas at El Paso Police Department at (915)747-5611.

Police arrest 2 men after finding pot and ecstasy in car

EL PASO -- Two Chaparral, New Mexico, men were arrested Friday night on drug charges after a traffic stop, El Paso Police spokesman Michael Baranyay said.

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Crime of the Week: Man finds car, wallet missing after night at bar

EL PASO - The Crime Stoppers Crime of the Week is the search for a man involved in a car and wallet theft.

April 2, the victim left Chiquita's Bar with another man and went home, where he fell asleep. When the victim woke up, his car and wallet were gone.

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Men riding in stolen Chevy Tahoe arrested

EL PASO -- Two men were arrested after El Paso police stopped them in a stolen sport utility vehicle.

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Men allegedly break into two vehicles

EL PASO -- Two men were arrested after they allegedly burglarized two vehicles Monday night, El Paso Police spokesman Darrel Petry said.

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Alleged drunk driver crashes into police car

EL PASO — A woman suspected of drunken driving crashed into a police car early Sunday in West El Paso.

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Men allegedly steal beer from Northeast Circle K

EL PASO -- Police today arrested two Northeast men on suspicion of an early morning beer burglary.

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