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Escaped felon forces lockdown at local school district (UPDATED)
By Chris Roark, croark@starlocalnews.com
The Texas Department of Public Safety has added Alberto Morales to its Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitive List, with a $10,000 reward being offered for his capture.
According to the Southlake Department of Public Safety, Miami-Dade Police Officers were transporting Morales from Florida to Nevada when they stopped at the Wal-Mart located at Hwy. 26 and S.H. 114 in Grapevine at 11:30 p.m. Monday. While in the parking lot, Morales attacked one of the officers and escaped on foot, according to the report.
Morales is described as a 42-year-old Hispanic male. He is listed as being 5-feet, 7-inches tall and weighing about 175 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes and possibly wears glasses. He was last seen wearing a gray hoodie sweatshirt blue shorts and one shoe. He was still in arm and leg restraints at the time of his escape. Morales has a long violent criminal history and should be considered armed and dangerous.
He is described as having a tattoo of a Native American on a horse on left shoulder and upper left arm, scars on his left hand, left arm and nose and discolored spots on his face around right eye and on forehead.
Authorities said a white Ford SUV is a vehicle of interest and that he might be in that.
Sgt. Robert Eberling of the Grapevine Police Department said nothing leads officials to believe Morales has left the area.
Morales is wanted for a variety of crimes, including attempted capital murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault on a police officer, and escape from custody. His criminal history also includes burglary with Use of deadly weapon and sexual assault with deadly weapon.
As a result of the incident, Carroll ISD went on a soft lockdown, which means the entire buildings have their exterior doors locked but students are still allowed to transit between campuses with adult supervision.
“We have been in contact with everyone, such as the bus drivers, and custodial staff, to make sure there are no places on campus for him to hide,” Thannum said.
There have been extra police officers placed at CISD schools.
The Wal-Mart is near Eubanks Intermediate School and Dawson Middle School. CISD was notified of the situation after students arrived at school, Thannum said.
“That’s something we’re looking into,” Thannum said, adding that this is a Grapevine Police Department manhunt. “Increased notification time would have helped us. My understanding is that Grapevine-Colleyville ISD was also notified this morning.”
Thannum said CISD immediately notified staff and parents of the issue upon learning of it.
DPS officials are working with area agencies to locate Morales.
Anyone who sees Morales is asked to call 911.
According to the Southlake Department of Public Safety, Miami-Dade Police Officers were transporting Morales from Florida to Nevada when they stopped at the Wal-Mart located at Hwy. 26 and S.H. 114 in Grapevine at 11:30 p.m. Monday. While in the parking lot, Morales attacked one of the officers and escaped on foot, according to the report.
Morales is described as a 42-year-old Hispanic male. He is listed as being 5-feet, 7-inches tall and weighing about 175 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes and possibly wears glasses. He was last seen wearing a gray hoodie sweatshirt blue shorts and one shoe. He was still in arm and leg restraints at the time of his escape. Morales has a long violent criminal history and should be considered armed and dangerous.
He is described as having a tattoo of a Native American on a horse on left shoulder and upper left arm, scars on his left hand, left arm and nose and discolored spots on his face around right eye and on forehead.
Authorities said a white Ford SUV is a vehicle of interest and that he might be in that.
Sgt. Robert Eberling of the Grapevine Police Department said nothing leads officials to believe Morales has left the area.
Morales is wanted for a variety of crimes, including attempted capital murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault on a police officer, and escape from custody. His criminal history also includes burglary with Use of deadly weapon and sexual assault with deadly weapon.
As a result of the incident, Carroll ISD went on a soft lockdown, which means the entire buildings have their exterior doors locked but students are still allowed to transit between campuses with adult supervision.
“We have been in contact with everyone, such as the bus drivers, and custodial staff, to make sure there are no places on campus for him to hide,” Thannum said.
There have been extra police officers placed at CISD schools.
The Wal-Mart is near Eubanks Intermediate School and Dawson Middle School. CISD was notified of the situation after students arrived at school, Thannum said.
“That’s something we’re looking into,” Thannum said, adding that this is a Grapevine Police Department manhunt. “Increased notification time would have helped us. My understanding is that Grapevine-Colleyville ISD was also notified this morning.”
Thannum said CISD immediately notified staff and parents of the issue upon learning of it.
DPS officials are working with area agencies to locate Morales.
Anyone who sees Morales is asked to call 911.
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