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On Friday, November 8, 2024, at approximately 7:54 p.m., police were dispatched to an active disturbance in the 400 block of Raintree Circle, DeSoto, Texas. The caller, an adult female, reported to dispatch that an unknown adult male armed with a pistol was in her backyard. During the 911 call, dispatch could hear screaming as the suspect attempted to force entry through the rear garage door. Multiple neighbors also called 911, reporting gunshots in the area. Police arrived on scene at the victim’s residence by 7:57 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers encountered the victim in front of her home. She informed them that she believed she had shot the suspect, who was likely at the back of the property. Police searched the premises and found the suspect lying on the ground inside the garage, with a pistol nearby. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Octavio Flores Mondragon, had sustained two gunshot wounds, one to the chest and another to the face. Officers secured the scene and administered first aid until an ambulance arrived. The suspect was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

The victim stated that she noticed a dark truck following her as she entered her neighborhood, and it pulled in behind her when she parked in her driveway. Concerned for her safety, she ran inside her home and called the police. She armed herself with her pistol as the suspect tried to break in, firing multiple shots to stop him. She then met officers at the front of her home when they arrived.

The suspect faces charges of Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Another Felony, a first-degree felony. No motive has been determined. The pistol found beside the suspect is believed to be the firearm he had during the incident.

No further details are available for public release.

The post Armed Intruder Shot by Homeowner During Break-In Attempt in DeSoto, Texas appeared first on Focus Daily News.

A male suspect is dead following an early morning fatal officer-involved shooting in DeSoto.

Police were initially called to the 1100 block of Greenbriar Drive shortly after 4:00 AM Sunday after the unidentified armed suspect, a Hispanic male who was carrying a small child and was accompanied by two women, began knocking on random residential doors and trespassing through their front and back yards.

When police arrived, they encountered the male suspect who was armed with a handgun and was holding a small child. The man then threatened to shoot any police officer he encountered. Officers tried to talk to the man and deescalate the situation but the group fled into a creek behind the homes where police temporarily lost visual contact. Police formed a perimeter and encountered the group about 30 minutes later in the 1200 block of Springbrook Drive. They continued to talk to the man who was holding the gun in his hand and tried to get him to drop his weapon and let the small child go but he remained uncooperative.

Fearing for their safety and that of the child, one officer who was armed with a rifle fired on the suspect striking him. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene by DeSoto Medical Personnel.

Police are still working to identify the deceased male. The two women who were with the suspect were taken in for questioning but were not successful in helping the police identify the suspect. The child was turned over to family members.

The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave per departmental policy. Grand Prairie Police are the outside agency investigating the officer-involved component of the shooting. The Public Integrity Unit of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office was also notified and responded to the scene. The involvement of both agencies is routine after an officer-involved shooting and is designed to ensure an objective outside investigation.

The post BREAKING NEWS: Suspect Dead After Early Morning Officer-Involved Shooting in DeSoto appeared first on Focus Daily News.

DESOTO – The DeSoto Police executed search warrants at four establishments in DeSoto
earlier this week after uncovering possible illegal gambling using 8 Liner gaming machines.

Police pointed out some of the machines are referred to as 8 Liners because a person wins by having matches eight different ways, which results in a gaming win.

The four locations that were uncovered for illegal gaming law violations included:

Happy Mart – 1100 E. Pleasant Run #133
Family Mart – 1231 E. Pleasant Run #114
Daily Food Mart – 900 N. Polk #102
DeSoto Food Mart – 901 N. Polk #303

The warrant search located 60 machines and seized $17,000 in cash. DeSoto Police were not able to share information about how that amount was detected.

DeSoto PD has been watching these four businesses for some time and will periodically also
execute random checks in retail companies throughout the city.

When the officers see the 8 Liner gaming machines, they then relay that information to
detectives who follow up to determine if there are violations involved.

According to DeSoto PD, it is not sure if individuals own these four businesses or
corporation, but police said, “Detectives are still looking into the true ownership of these
businesses.”

There is also a good chance other business establishments in the city are involved in illegal gaming, and if discovered, police said enforcement is planned.

“This is just the first wave of warrant searches conducted against area establishments suspected of illegal gaming, and violators should know that we are monitoring other reports of alleged illegal activity and will be coming for them next,” said DeSoto Police Chief Joe Costa. “This type of activity hurts our community and our residents and will not be tolerated.”

While DeSoto Police have uncovered the illicit gaming activity, they are also working with the DeSoto Fire and Development Services departments to enforce other possible city violations.

For each business undergoing a warrant search, inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with fire regulations, City-issued Certificates of Occupancy, and building permits.

The investigations into the gaming violations are ongoing, and police are not only probing how those utilizing these gaming machines are made aware of their locations but also looking into any other illicit activities that might be going on at them.

According to a press release from the DeSoto Police Department, “The businesses in question were found to have committed a Class A Misdemeanor for Keeping of a Gambling Place but have not been formally charged at this time pending continued investigation.”

Residents who suspect illegal gambling is occurring in their community can contact DeSoto Police at (469) 658-3050.

DeSoto Police indicated an effective way to determine if a location is part of an illicit gambling ring is to observe these types of machines in businesses throughout the city and then contact police to make that determination.

Police also said they believe these machines are prevalent in other metroplex cities. It is unknown how severe the Dallas DA’s office will consider this type of illegal activity, and DeSoto Police said they have not spoken to DA John Creuzot on the matter.

The post DeSoto Police Chief Warns DeSoto Businesses Illegal Activity Will Not Be Tolerated appeared first on Focus Daily News.

A suspect is in the hospital after an exchange of gunfire with Cedar Hill and Duncanville police officers on Wednesday night.

The incident began around 8:10 p.m. in the 300 block of North Joe Wilson Road in Cedar Hill, when police attempted to apprehend a man with multiple active warrants.

Authorities identified the suspect as 36-year-old Gerail Fuewell, who had outstanding warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, family violence, and burglary of a habitation with intent to commit another felony.

When authorities found Fuewell, Cedar Hill police began to chase the suspect.

The chase continued into Duncanville’s jurisdiction, with Duncanville police joining the pursuit on Wheatland Road.

The chase lasted approximately six minutes and ended in the 8000 block of Marvin D. Love Freeway in Dallas.

Dashcam footage released by Cedar Hill Police Department shows Fuewell opening fire on officers as he leaned out of the driver’s side of the vehicle.

In the dashcam, an officer can be seen returning fire from his vehicle.

When exiting his vehicle the suspect opened fire on officers while crossing Wheatland Road.

Officers from both Cedar Hill and Duncanville returned fire, striking Fuewell in the shoulder and back.

No officers were injured during the incident.

The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

The Dallas Police Department Special Investigation Unit has taken over the investigation since the incident ended within Dallas city limits. T

The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office will oversee the investigation.

Fuewell is currently hospitalized and faces multiple charges, including felony evading in a motor vehicle. Further details on his condition have not been released.

The post Police Chase Ends in Shootout | Suspect Hospitalized appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

A Rockwall resident has been charged with unlawfully possessing an unregistered firearm after allegedly importing Glock switches from China.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced the charge in a press release.

Joshua Javier Menjivar, 20, was charged via a criminal complaint on Friday and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renée Harris Toliver on Wednesday.

“This defendant allegedly imported machinegun conversion devices from China and installed at least one of them in an untraceable ghost gun,” said Simonton.

“Whether manufactured abroad or printed here at home, switches are capable of firing a stunning amount of ammunition in seconds and are highly erratic – making them highly dangerous weapons. We cannot and will not allow these lethal devices to proliferate in north Texas.”

According to the complaint, Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted a suspicious package on May 16, addressed to Menjivar’s home.

The parcel allegedly contained four machine gun conversion devices, known as switches.

Further investigation revealed that from May 2023 to May 2024, approximately 35 suspicious packages were allegedly delivered to Menjivar’s address.

These shipments, at least one of which was allegedly sent by a known international firearms supplier, were listed as various items such as household tools, protective gloves, glass cups, hats, and clothing, and were addressed to fictitious individuals.

On June 10, ATF agents collected trash from a bin outside Menjivar’s home. Inside, they allegedly found a non-value gold metal commemorative bitcoin, an item often used to conceal switches by confusing x-ray machines, and packaging consistent with illicit firearms shipments.

Agents executed a search warrant on Menjivar’s residence on June 20, allegedly discovering a privately made firearm, known as a “ghost gun,” equipped with a switch.

Agents also found five additional switches, 72 rounds of assorted ammunition, two commemorative bitcoins, and various firearm accessories.

During an interview, Menjivar allegedly claimed ownership of the illegal items found in the residence and confirmed his knowledge of how the switches worked.

 “As this arrest proves, we weren’t joking a few weeks ago when we told you that we were coming for you. The possession or importation of machine gun conversion devices will eventually lead to a visit by ATF or any of our law enforcement partners,” said ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Boshek.

“I commend US Attorney Simonton and her team for their dedication to protecting the people of North Texas by aggressively prosecuting these cases. Further, I thank our partners at CBP who work tirelessly to keep Americans safe, a lot of times going unnoticed.”

The post Rockwall Man Charged with Importing Illegal Firearm Switches appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.