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Houston Police Department

Suspect Arrested in Woman's Death at 5801 Sunforest #1015


August 24, 2010 - A suspect wanted and charged in the death of a woman at 5801 Sunforest #1015 about 7:50 a.m. on June 4 has been arrested.

The suspect, Joel Burt Thompkins (b/m, 6-18-62), is charged with capital murder in the 209th State District Court. Thompkins, who was taken into custody in New York City, is accused in the death of Bridget Renee Jones, 46, of the above address. Ms. Jones suffered trauma to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

HPD Homicide Division Senior Police Officers S. Anderson and R. Bolton reported:

Ms. Jones was found by a friend deceased in the entryway of her apartment. The friend was at the apartment to provide a ride to school for Jones' child. Evidence from the scene determined the motive to be robbery. Further investigation identified Thompkins as the suspect and revealed he stole various items including a laptop computer, a child's game system, and a Panasonic 37-inch LCD television from Jones' apartment and sold them for narcotics.

Investigators from the 32nd Precinct in New York City received information from the Texas Attorney General's Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit regarding Thompkins' whereabouts and on Friday (Aug. 20), he was arrested without incident. Thompkins admitted to HPD homicide investigators his involvement in Jones' death and he is awaiting extradition back to Houston.

Update: VHS/JFC 8-24-10
VHS/JKS 6-8-10
Inc. #80463310

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.

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