Attempted Burglary on Parkmont

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A burglar attempted to rob a residence on Parkmont about 2:45 in the afternoon, Friday, September 5. The thief climbed over an eight-foot fence in the back, got into the house’s fuse box, and turned the power off. He then broke the lock on the electric meter and removed the meter. He subsequently broke the glass on the back door, which set off the alarm.

Alert neighbors, who witnessed the episode, called the police and yelled at the burglar that the police were on the way. The intruder immediately left the property, using a lawn chair to help him scale the fence. Three police cars arrived within 5-10 minutes.

The description of the suspect: African-American male, late 20s or early 30s. Clean-cut, athletic build, about 6 feet tall, medium build, last seen wearing a green shirt.

Please make sure that your fuse boxes and electric meters are secure as they can be.

If you have any further information, please call 911.

Scam Artist in Neighborhood

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August 28, 2008

There was a recent report of a scam artist knocking on doors on Worth Street. (Junius Crime Alert August 20). This week he has been working Lowell Street. He is described as a white man, clean-cut, and in his mid 30s. He is driving a dark green or black Ford pick-up with the license number 73M YN3. His pattern is to knock on a door, claim to be a new neighbor or husband of so-and-so who lives at a particular address, and ask for money for an “emergency.” Do not give him any money but tell him you are calling the police.

He also followed one resident to a gas station where the attendant on duty recognized him as a habitual offender. The would-be-victims called the police but the police, unfortunately, did not arrive in time before the scam artist left.

Landscape Stones Stolen

Large landscape stones were stolen from a residence in the 700 block of Lowell the night of August 27. These stones were used for edging and had been part of the parkway landscape for years. The thieves dug them out of the ground and carted them away. If you have any information, please call 911.

Plants Stolen From Front Porch

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August 24, 2008

Tuesday night, April 19, or early Wednesday morning, six plants and two hanging baskets were stolen from a porch on Parkmont. Not all the plants were taken; a few were left behind. A motion detector was on that illuminated the thieves but, unfortunately, did not stop them. The police were called and a report was made.

Last summer East Dallas was hit hard by the plant thieves. This summer has been relatively quiet but the theft of so many plants from one location may mark a return to the earlier pattern. The plants that are stolen frequently end up in malls or flea markets were they are sold for a profit.

There is no one way to discourage the plant thieves. Tying hanging baskets to ceiling hooks with fishing wire sometimes is helpful. The thieves, trying to move quickly, can’t see the fishing wire clearly in the dark and it usually is too high for them to reach without a ladder. Hopefully the thieves will move on.