SOUTHWEST PATROL DIVISION: A new Truancy Program was implemented in late March that helped reduce the number of burglaries in the Westbury area. In the week prior to the start of the program (March 19-26), there were four burglaries in the area and since the start of the truancy initiative, no burglaries were reported. With the assistance of HISD, officers cited 119 students for curfew or truancy violations and returned them to school during the first week of the program. Officers also made five other arrests for various misdemeanors and one felony. The program will continue through the end of the school year.
CENTRAL PATROL DIVISION: On March 28th, Central Patrol Division officers responding to a home invasion call on West Alabama arrived within minutes and discovered a large quantity of narcotics and cash inside the residence. Three males were arrested for possession of a controlled substance and officers uncovered evidence, after obtaining a warrant, of possible financial crimes, including identity theft. Officers with HPD’s Financial Crimes Unit and the Auto Theft Division responded to the scene and searched the apartment. Investigators seized numerous drivers licenses, identification cards, and other forms of identification as well as machines and tools used to counterfeit illegal documents. The information obtained from the West Alabama bust led officers to execute a search warrant at an Avondale address on March 30, 2007, which resulted in the arrest of one man for possession of a controlled substance. Also seized were numerous computers and more tools and machines used to counterfeit illegal documents. HPD has identified approximately 100 identity theft victims of this criminal enterprise from all over the United States. The investigation continues.
GO/NJM/DWR 4-5-07
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
