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Pflugerville police ask for help locating missing 15-year-old girl

12Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Pflugerville police ask for help locating missing 15-year-old girl

PFLUGERVILLE, TX – The Pflugerville Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating 15-year-old Izabella Villegas. Izabella was last seen on September 8, 2025. She is described as a Hispanic female, 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 100 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Pflugerville Police Department at 512-990-6700.

West Fargo police ask for help locating missing woman last seen in June

12Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

North Dakota

West Fargo police ask for help locating missing woman last seen in June

WEST FARGO, ND – The West Fargo Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating 33-year-old Amanda Mae Jorgenson. Jorgenson was last seen around June 2, 2025, in the area of the Days Inn located at 1507 19th Avenue North in Fargo. She is described as 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 90 pounds, with dark red or black hair and brown eyes. Jorgenson was reported missing on September 8, 2025. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the West Fargo Police Department at 701-515-5500.

Deceased person, rifle found after Kingwood standoff and house fire during HCSO SWAT warrant service

12Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Deceased person, rifle found after Kingwood standoff and house fire during HCSO SWAT warrant service

KINGWOOD, TX – A man believed to be wanted on multiple charges, including felony assault, was involved in a standoff with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team on Thursday at a residence in the 2000 block of Shadow Rock Drive near Kingwood and Woodland Hills Drives. According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, deputies were serving a warrant for a 46-year-old male suspect facing a felony assault charge in Harris County and a possible protective order violation in Montgomery County. When deputies arrived around 11 a.m., the suspect reportedly refused to come out and allegedly fired shots from inside the home. No personnel were injured, but some first responders’ equipment was struck. Additional gunfire was reportedly heard from inside the residence. Sheriff Gonzalez confirmed that ...

Cleburne County library director arrested for felony theft and abuse of office

12Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Arkansas

Cleburne County library director arrested for felony theft and abuse of office

HEBER SPRINGS, AR – Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division have arrested Zackery Cothren, 47, Director of the Cleburne County Public Library, on felony charges of Theft of Property and Abuse of Office. The arrest follows a May 22, 2025, request from Sixteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Drew Smith after a Legislative Audit revealed questionable purchases and possible fraud involving library employees. On September 11, 2025, an arrest warrant was issued for Cothren. He was taken into custody at his residence in Cleburne County and transported to the Cleburne County Detention Center. He was later released on a $5,000 bond. Investigators determined that approximately $78,000 in public funds were misappropriated. Cothren has served...

White Chevrolet Equinox located in fatal New Castle hit-and-run investigation

12Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Delaware

White Chevrolet Equinox located in fatal New Castle hit-and-run investigation

NEW CASTLE, DE – The Delaware State Police have located the suspect vehicle involved in the fatal hit-and-run that occurred on September 8, 2025, on South Dupont Highway. The vehicle, identified as a white Chevrolet Equinox, was found unoccupied at a residence and has been secured as part of the ongoing investigation. The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate the incident and is actively seeking additional witnesses. Investigators are particularly interested in any dash camera or surveillance footage from the area around the time of the crash. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki at (302) 365-8417. Tips may also be shared via private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or through De...

Tennessee man pleads guilty in $3.4M COVID-19 tax credit fraud scheme

12Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Tennessee

Tennessee man pleads guilty in $3.4M COVID-19 tax credit fraud scheme

KINGSPORT, TN – A Tennessee man has pleaded guilty to tax and wire fraud charges for his role in a scheme that sought approximately $3.4 million in fraudulent COVID-19-related tax refunds. File Photo (July 2022) According to court documents and statements made in court, Edward Zanes, of Kingsport, conspired with others to exploit pandemic-era tax credits by creating phony businesses with no actual operations or employees. The fraudulent entities were used to file false tax returns claiming refunds through the employee retention credit and the paid sick and family leave credit—programs designed to support businesses during the pandemic. Zanes assisted in preparing and filing multiple false tax returns and ensured they were sent to addresses he and his co-conspirators controlled. In...

New Orleans chiropractor sentenced to 7 years for health care fraud and unemployment scheme

12Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Louisiana

New Orleans chiropractor sentenced to 7 years for health care fraud and unemployment scheme

NEW ORLEANS, LA – A federal judge sentenced chiropractor Dr. Benjamin Tekippe, 40, of New Orleans, to seven years in prison for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar health care fraud scheme and submitting false unemployment claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to court records and trial evidence, Tekippe owned and operated Metairie Chiropractic & Rehab and solicited Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) members with misleading offers of “free” massages. In reality, Tekippe billed BCBSLA for these massages—which were not covered services—as well as other chiropractic procedures that were either not performed or misrepresented. Prosecutors detailed that Tekippe submitted thousands of false claims, including billing for services while he was vacationing in Aruba ...

Austin officer shot, woman killed, suspect wounded in Zilker Park shooting and manhunt

12Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Austin officer shot, woman killed, suspect wounded in Zilker Park shooting and manhunt

AUSTIN, TX – The Austin Police Department is continuing its investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of September 10, 2025, in the 700 block of Azie Morton Road near Zilker Park. According to APD, officers were conducting a curfew check around 3:31 a.m. when they located a stolen vehicle. After calling for a tow, most officers departed to patrol other areas while Officer Adam Reinhart remained at the scene. At approximately 4:10 a.m., two individuals approached the tow truck driver, claiming ownership of the vehicle. As they began walking into a wooded area, Officer Reinhart followed, issued verbal commands, and announced that they were detained. The female subject, identified as Kay Smith, 30, began walking toward the officer, whil...

Hot Springs man shot, suspect arrested after brief standoff

12Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Arkansas

Hot Springs man shot, suspect arrested after brief standoff

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Officers with the Hot Springs Police Department responded to a reported shooting around 8 a.m. on September 10, 2025, at 148 Murray Street. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, identified as Lushian Woodson, who stated he had been shot. Medical personnel observed a gunshot wound to Woodson’s upper torso, and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The department’s Criminal Investigations Division took over the case and identified 28-year-old John Lee Scott as the suspect. A warrant for Battery in the First Degree was issued for his arrest. On the evening of September 11, 2025, around 7:42 p.m., officers located Scott at 402 Quapaw Avenue. After a brief standoff, the Hot Springs Police Department SWAT Team took him into custody. Scott is cur...

Two killed in crash involving motorcycle and truck on FM-1960 East

12Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Two killed in crash involving motorcycle and truck on FM-1960 East

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a fatal crash that occurred in the 8500 block of FM-1960 East. According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the collision involved a motorcycle and a truck. One adult male was confirmed deceased at the scene. An adult female who was transported by Life Flight was later also confirmed deceased. The investigation is ongoing.