Criminal News

Dallas police crack down on illegal temporary license plate paper tags

Illegal paper tags are a Texas problem that has gone national.

DPD

In a multi-agency operation, Dallas police initiated a crackdown on illegal fake temporary license plate tags, seizing 42 fake paper "eTags," and making three arrests.

The effort was a first stab at fighting a problem that started in Texas but has now spread across the U.S.

According to a release from the DPD, on January 19, the Dallas Police Department Southwest Crime Reduction Team, South Central Crime Reduction Team, Speeding/Racing Task Force, Auto Theft Unit, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), and Homeland Security Investigations conducted a major interagency operation within the grid areas of the Southwest and South Central Patrol Divisions.

They made 149 traffic stops, confiscated 42 illegal fake tags, towed 11 vehicles, made three arrests, recovered four weapons, and two stolen cars.

"Vehicles using fictitious temporary license plates or improper temporary license plates, all referred to as eTags, are commonly used in crimes from auto thefts to homicides," the release said. "The operation was intended to interdict these vehicles, investigate the reason for the fictitious license plate, tow vehicles when applicable, and arrest the offender if needed."

The crackdown included multiple types of eTags including tags that were expired, tags that were fraudulently obtained, and illegitimate fake dealerships eTags.

Paper tags are supposed to be used on a temporary basis, while car buyers wait to receive their permanent plates.

But according to an investigation by NBC5, it's easy for someone to create a fake auto dealer entity and print the fake tags, due to poor screening by the DMV, which has inadvertently allowed even people using stolen identities to get a Texas car dealer license. NBC 5 found fraudulent tags all over Dallas.

Thanks to Texas, the problem has now manifested itself across the U.S. Fake Texas temporary vehicle tags have been showing up in crime scenes as far away as New York. In a 2021 investigation, the FBI found more than a half-million fraudulent paper tags, sold by just three people to buyers across the country.

Thanks go to Gov. Greg Abbott who in 2017 vetoed funding for law enforcement units that once fought fraudulent tags.

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Animal News

Wills Point, Texas man charged with cruelty for abandoning 18 animals

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Lucas Wayne Penrod, charged with animal cruelty

Another animal cruelty case has emerged from Van Zandt County, resulting in the arrest of a Wills Point man: Lucas Wayne Penrod was charged with Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals, a 3rd degree felony.

It began on Friday, October 24, when the Wills Point Police Department performed a welfare check at a mobile home within the city limits. Officers became concerned when they heard multiple dogs barking along with a foul odor of animal waste.

On October 25, after obtaining a search warrant, Wills Point PD and the SPCA of Texas ACI Unit entered the residence and found multiple animals living in deplorable conditions.

The mobile home was filled with trash and animal feces. The team discovered a total of 8 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 4 adult dogs, and 4 puppies, cruelly confined to the unsanitary living conditions on the property.

Two dogs were confined to filthy crates with no access to water.
Three puppies were in a small bathroom covered in urine and feces; one of the puppies was deceased and decomposing.
The guinea pigs were found in a cage without access to food or water.

Most of the animals showed signs of long-term neglect and were in dire need of urgent medical intervention. The animals were seized by the SPCA of Texas and transported to the organization's Dallas location for veterinary care.

Dog in cage Wills Point Lucas Wayne Penrod Dog abandoned in Wills Point by Lucas Wayne Penrod.SPCA

On October 26, Lucas Wayne Penrod, the owner of the animals, contacted an SPCA of Texas Investigator regarding the animals. The Investigator determined that Penrod had unlawfully allegedly abandoned the animals, failing to provide them with proper care, resulting in the death of one of the puppies and the critical state of the surviving animals.

On October 28, the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Penrod, who was apprehended by Tyler Police Department and booked into the Smith County Jail with a $50K bond. Penrod was charged with Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals, a 3rd degree felony.

On November 1, at a civil custody hearing at the Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 courthouse in Wills Point, Penrod relinquished custody of the 18 allegedly abandoned, cruelly treated animals to the SPCA.

"The squalid conditions these beautiful animals were living in were abhorrent--locked in spaces without food or water, in their own excrement," said SPCA of Texas ACI Unit Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA. "This is some of the worst mistreatment of domestic animals I've seen in my extensive career in animal cruelty investigations. In no small part, these pets owe their lives to the Wills Point Police Department. If it wasn’t for their quick thinking to involve us right away, I don't think the animals would have made it."

"This case perfectly illustrates the team effort that investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases in Texas is," Burns added. "We are extremely thankful to the Tyler Police Department for their efficient assistance in apprehending Penrod so that he can be brought to justice in the timeliest manner possible. And we are especially grateful to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and court system with whom we continue to partner to get justice for abused animals in their jurisdiction."