Latest news with #PlanoPoliceDepartment
Auto Blog
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Texas Theft Ring Steals $1M in Camaros & Corvettes, 29 Cars Recovered
The 'C8,' or eighth-generation, Corvette brought the most dramatic transformation in the history of 'America's sports car.' But Chevrolet today revealed a pair of new concept vehicles that suggest equally dramatic changes are in the works. A brazen theft ring in Texas managed to steal more than $1.1 million worth of Chevrolet Camaros and Corvettes in just two months, according to the Plano Police Department. Their preferred targets were parked in apartment complexes and gym lots — prime hunting grounds for crews exploiting weaknesses in keyless entry systems. Once in, the thieves didn't immediately ship the cars off or dismantle them. Instead, they often took them for joyrides, posted videos online, and then sold them on for as little as $5,000 each. Dashcam footage from one Camaro SS even captured the break-in, helping investigators locate a storage unit containing 29 stolen vehicles. From Social Media Fame to Arrests Fortunately, it was the groups arrogance that was the demise that did them in. Police tracked the suspects through Instagram posts showing them doing donuts, revving engines, and boasting about their 'finds'. Within weeks, authorities had recovered all of the 29 vehicles and arrested the five individuals responsible for the crimes. The cars in question weren't random — the Camaro, in particular, is already the most-stolen vehicle in America, largely because of its high-performance hardware and the black-market demand for its LT engines. Corvettes, with their similarly potent drivetrains, offer the same appeal for illegal street racers and parts resellers. Source: General Motors Why These Cars Are Targets Beyond the obvious horsepower, both models share mechanical platforms that make engine swaps relatively straightforward. Add in a thriving underground market for body panels, wheels, and interiors, and it's easy to see why these Chevrolets are on every thief's shopping list. While U.S. car theft rates fell by 17% in 2024, thanks to better vehicle security and law enforcement crackdowns, certain high-powered models remain disproportionately at risk. Push-button start systems and easily accessible OBD ports continue to be exploited, sometimes in under two minutes by the right thieves who are familiar with such systems. Source: Exotic Car Trader Protecting What's Yours For owners of Camaros, Corvettes, and other high-performance vehicles, multi-layered security is the best defense. OBD port locks, hidden kill-switches, and GPS tracking systems can make theft far harder and recovery far more likely. Simple changes like parking nose-in against a wall or inside a locked garage can also deter thieves. Law enforcement officials stress that while national trends may show an overall drop, the market for stolen performance cars is still thriving — especially when they can be acquired cheaply and resold quickly. For now, it's a dangerous time to be driving America's most desirable muscle cars without added protection. About the Author Max Taylor View Profile
Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Newsweek
Texas Operation Rescues Over 100 Kids from Human Trafficking—FBI
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas law enforcement agencies rescued 109 children and arrested 244 suspected offenders in a large-scale operation targeting online child exploitation, said the FBI. The monthlong initiative, called Operation Soteria Shield, was conducted in April by more than 70 Texas law enforcement agencies and federal partners, across the north of the state. The operation aimed to identify and free victims of abuse, while seizing key digital evidence of these crimes, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Division said in a press release Tuesday. Authorities confirmed that the operation—jointly managed by the FBI Dallas Division, Dallas Police Department, Plano Police Department, Wylie Police Department, and Garland Police Department—resulted in the confiscation of terabytes of illicit data and ongoing forensic analysis that may lead to more arrests and the discovery of additional victims. A large-scale operation targeting online child exploitation in Texas resulted in the arrest of 244 suspected offenders. A large-scale operation targeting online child exploitation in Texas resulted in the arrest of 244 suspected offenders. FBI - Dallas Why It Matters Online child exploitation is an escalating threat as technology gives predators unprecedented access to minors in their own homes. The scope and success of Operation Soteria Shield highlights both the widespread nature of these crimes and the increasing need for coordinated law enforcement responses nationwide. What To Know Operation Soteria Shield engaged more than 70 agencies, including national organizations such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and local departments stretching from Dallas to Amarillo. The FBI said NCMEC analysts provided "vital intelligence and case coordination," which aided in the success of the operation. FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said children's advocacy centers and prosecutors at the state and federal level were also involved in the initiative. Officials seized 1,130 digital devices and over 213 terabytes of digital evidence during the operation. Plano Police Department Assistant Chief Dan Curtis said that many of the rescued children were previously unidentified and never reported missing. Officials said, in many of these cases, online predators used technology such as social platforms and gaming networks to coerce minors into sharing explicit content, often without meeting their victims in person. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas announced that the operation has led to grand jury indictments for distributing child sexual abuse material and sexually exploiting children to produce it. What People Are Saying FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock, in a statement: "We shared a common goal: to rescue children from abuse and exploitation. This was not an easy operation, but a necessary one. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect the children in our communities, and we will hold child predators accountable for their crimes." Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux, in a statement: "Operation Soteria Shield was a massive team effort and a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we unite around one clear mission: protecting our kids and holding offenders accountable." Plano Police Chief Ed Drain, in a statement: "Online exploitation of children is one of the most insidious crimes. It reaches into every community, crosses every boundary, and leaves lasting harm on its youngest victims. Operation Soteria Shield brought together an unprecedented level of collaboration and resolve to confront this crisis head-on." Jay Combs, Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney, in a statement: "The numbers of offenders arrested and children rescued in this operation are stunning. Behind every statistic, there is a child with dreams and the right to live a life free from sexual exploitation. We are committed to teaming with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute these cases with urgency and ferocity in order to protect our children." What Happens Next Authorities are continuing to analyze seized devices and digital material, with further arrests and victim identifications possible as investigations develop. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
CBS News
19-05-2025
- CBS News
Dallas man charged with murder in fatal shooting in Plano, police say
A Dallas man has been arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of a Plano man over the weekend, officials said. Carlos Arthur Schurman Mendes, 44, has been charged with murder in the death of 44-year-old Brandon Dorsey, the Plano Police Department said. Carlos Arthur Schurman Mendes, 44, has been charged with murder. Plano Police Department Plano PD said at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, officers were called to the 5600 block of Woodhaven Court in response to a shooting. When they arrived, they found the victim, later identified as Dorsey, with gunshot wounds to his upper body. Plano Fire-Rescue transported Dorsey to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. On Sunday, Plano PD said Schurman Mendes was taken into custody for Dorsey's death, but didn't reveal details surrounding the shooting. Shurman Mendes is currently in the Collin County jail. His bond amount has not been set.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former Plano ISD staffer under investigation for allegedly abusing disabled student
The Brief Plano police are investigating after parents say a Plano ISD staff member abused their disabled daughter. Lestia Nelson says she planted an audio device in her daughter's backpack, which later recorded what she calls screams. A video shows an educator pulling 18-year-old Saniyah Reese by her neck and bending her fingers backward while being rough with her. PLANO - Plano police are investigating after parents say a former Plano ISD staff member abused their disabled daughter. What we know 18-year-old Saniyah Reese lives with a rare gene mutation called GRIN-1, causing neuro-development disorders. She takes special-needs classes at Plano Senior High School, where a now-former special needs teacher is under criminal investigation for alleged abuse against Reese. Reese's mother, Lestia Nelson, says she suspected her special-needs daughter was mistreated at school. Lestia Nelson says she planted an audio device in her daughter's backpack, which later recorded what she calls screams. What they're saying The concerned mother requested video from cameras inside the classroom. They say the video shows an educator pulling Saniyah by her neck and bending her fingers backward while being rough with her. Saniyah's cries are heard in the recording. Saniyah's parents shared a video from January, which they obtained from the district in March. The parents fear what they see on video might only be a sample of incidents involving their daughter or other special-needs students. "We caught this, and we don't know what else happened before this. These are just a couple of moments that were able to catch," said Alvin Nelson, father of Saniyah. "She was crying, and she doesn't cry for nothing," said Lestia Nelson. What we know Her parents spoke at a Plano ISD board meeting on Tuesday. "We want accountability, and we want action," said Alvin Nelson. "They should be able to follow protocols, guidelines and procedures to be able to protect our kids and educate our kids." Plano ISD told FOX 4 the staff member no longer works there and was reported to the state. It did not say if the educator, who has not been charged with a crime, was fired or resigned. What we don't know The educator has not been identified yet, and we do not know if charges are expected to be brought against them. What's next The Plano Police Department says it has an active investigation. The Source Information provided in this article is from the Plano Police Department and Plano ISD.
