A police operation of an alleged stolen car and monster truck ring has illustrated how a criminal investigation can quickly spiral.
On Feb. 26, the Dallas Morning News reported how David Campbell, 57, from Hutchins in Dallas County was accused of stealing a monster truck from a Plano parking lot. Police say he reported the stolen truck’s whereabouts to its owner so he could collect a cash reward for its recovery.
He was arrested on felony theft charges Sunday. “The charge is steep because the truck is worth $100,000 to $150,000,” reported the Dallas Morning News.
Police say Campbell led Dallas Hale, the co-owner of the truck, to a spot “way back in the woods” where it was hidden, the affidavit states.
Hale gave Campbell a $5000 cash reward for the tip. A DeSoto police officer saw Campbell leaving and arrested him. The reward money was confiscated.
At the time, Plano police spokesman David Tilley said detectives were looking at the possibility that there were additional suspects in the case. Police issued a subpoena for surveillance video from a bank near the parking lot where the monster truck was stolen.
When police tried to round up additional suspects, a chase took place resulting in an officer-involved shooting.
Raul Reyna, a Dallas County Sheriff’s Department spokesman, said Paul Lee drove a white truck that led officers on a chase on Feb. 26. He jumped into the white Mustang after crashing the truck.
They said another suspect, Carl Eric Meyer, threw the Ford Mustang in reverse and struck an officer before another officer shot him. He was later charged with aggravated assault, with a deadly weapon, of a public servant. He is still in the hospital.
Police identified three people arrested after the officer-involved shooting as Paul Lee, 27; Carl Eric Meyer, 38; and Amanda Michelle Lee, 30.
Paul Lee was charged with evading arrest with a motor vehicle.
Amanda Lee and Paul Lee are siblings, police said. Amanda Lee was charged with engaging in organized crime. Further charges are pending against the suspects.
This episode illustrates how steep charges can be brought against people who are accused of organized stealing, especially if other charges follow such as assaults. If you are charged with offenses such as this it’s important to hire an experienced Dallas criminal defense attorney to fight the charges.
