Over $2.5M Worth of Cocaine Seized by Customs and Border Protection at the Anzalduas International Bridge

Reynosa Man Arrested

Anzalduas, Texas — Officers with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Anzalduas International Bridge seized over $2,500,000 worth of alleged cocaine and arrested a man from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico on Sunday.

“This substantial load of hard narcotics was discovered due to our officers’ outstanding diligence and perseverance,” said Efrain Solis Jr., Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. “Our officers’ great dedication and attention to detail has enabled us to intercept this load of cocaine and kept it from filtering in therefore keeping our communities safe from these dangerous drugs.”

On Sunday morning, September 23, 2012 a gray 2006 Chevrolet Equinox driven by a 36-year-old male Mexican citizen from Reynosa arrived at the Anzalduas-Reynosa International Bridge. The driver and lone occupant presented his Mexican passport with U.S. visa to the CBP officer and he was subsequently referred to secondary for a more thorough inspection. In secondary officers discovered 35 packages weighing approximately 39.02 kilograms (86.02 pounds) of alleged cocaine which were concealed within the vehicle. CBP seized the cocaine which has an estimated street value of $2,753,000 and the vehicle as well.

The adult male traveler was released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Photos Released in Takeover-Style Bank Robbery

The Houston FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a dangerous bank robber who aggressively robbed the Amegy Bank located at 400 North Sam Houston Parkway East in Houston, Texas, earlier today. Photographs from the robbery are below.

At approximately 12:46 p.m., the armed robber entered the bank wearing a ski mask and brandishing a pistol. He dangerously pointed his weapon at tellers and around the bank before getting away with cash. No one was physically hurt. He fled the area with a getaway driver in a white Dodge Neon. The vehicle was recovered a short distance away.

The bank robber was described as a Hispanic male, wearing a gray hoodie, blue shorts, and concealing his face with a dark ski mask. He carried a red tote bag during the robbery.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and arrest of this robber and his accomplice. If you have information about this case, please call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 713-222-TIPS (8477), or the Houston office of the FBI at 713-693-5000.

Robbery of J.P. Morgan Chase Bank in Houston

FBI Releases Surveillance Photos

The Houston FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the man who robbed the J.P. Morgan Chase Bank located at 213 West Greens Road in Houston, Texas, earlier today. Photographs from the robbery are below.

At approximately 9:09 a.m., the robber entered the bank and handed the teller a threatening note, which demanded money. The bank robber specifically requested $1,000 in cash. The teller gave the man some cash. The bank robber left the bank in a 1995-1999 baby blue Lincoln with a rag top. No one was physically hurt during the robbery.

The bank robber was described as a Hispanic male, mid-20s, 5’6”, weighing 175-190 pounds, with short hair. He wore a brown shirt, light blue pants, and black shoes.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and arrest of this robber. If you have information about this case, please call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or the Houston Office of the FBI at 713-693-5000.

Liberty County Man Sentenced for Beaumont Bank Robberies

BEAUMONT, TX—A 46-year-old Daisetta, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for a string of bank robberies, including two in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

John Steven Stark pleaded guilty on May 3, 2012 to two counts of bank robbery and was sentenced to 169 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Stark was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,390.17.

According to information presented in court, on January 30, 2012, Stark entered the Bank of America at 2625 Calder in Beaumont and handed a teller a note stating, “This is a bank robbery.” The teller complied with the demands of the note and provided the man with the cash from her teller drawer totaling $3,338.

On February 2, 2012, Stark robbed the Comerica Bank branch office located at 3135 Southwest Freeway in Houston. Stark used a note which he handed to a bank teller before making off with $2,632.

Surveillance video captured several images of the man during the robberies, which was then circulated by broadcast news. The man was identified as Stark and he was arrested on February 8, 2012 in Beaumont following a third bank robbery.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Beaumont Police Department, the Houston Police Department, and the Daisetta Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Craft.

Firefighter Fatality

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:

Name: Neal W. Smith

Rank: Captain

Age: 46

Gender: Male

Status: Volunteer

Years of Service: 5

Date of Incident: 09/15/2012

Time of Incident: unknown

Date of Death: 09/17/2012

Fire Department: Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department

Address: 7642 Farmingham Road, Atascocita, TX  77346

Fire Department Chief: William Bivens

Incident Description: On Saturday, September 15, during a smoke diver class designed to train firefighters advanced survival skills in full gear, Captain Neal Smith passed out from a heat-related illness.  He was transported to a hospital during which CPR was administered.  Captain Smith remained in critical condition until Monday, September 17, when he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 6:30 p.m.  Doctors reportedly determined that Captain Smith's body temperature was more than 106 degrees.

Incident Location: Beaumont Emergency Services Training Complex

Funeral Arrangements: Pending

Tribute is being paid to Captain Neal Smith at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 58 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm