NCSO News

On Tuesday, December 26, 2017, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding an individual threatening to kill another Nolan County resident over domestic relationship problems ongoing between the two parties. The same individual had threatened suicide over the last couple of days and was being sought by law enforcement for welfare reasons as well as a suspect in the recent threat.

At 7:12AM, Tuesday morning, Deputy Daniel King was dispatched to an address on East Bradford Lane, just east of Sweetwater regarding this subject. The suspect, Daniel Eller, was communicating via cell phone to the victim that he was threatening, stating that he was going to kill her. Deputy King responded to the victim’s address and spoke with the female party there. The suspect was not at or near the address at that point, but NCSO personnel began searching the surrounding area looking for Eller in the vehicle described. Sgt. Angie Collier, with the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office did locate the suspect in the eastbound I-20 rest area near mile marker 256 in Nolan County at abut 9:00AM. The suspect was driving a dark blue colored Dodge truck with a work or utility type bed. Sgt. Collier and Nolan County Constable Stephen Smith began giving Eller verbal commands to exit his vehicle. The suspect, (Eller) was considered to be armed and dangerous. Eller refused directives given to him by officers at the scene. When officers began trying to evacuate the rest area of pedestrians, Eller decided to speed off and a law enforcement pursuit began.

Eller refused to stop for pursuing law enforcement units and continued in what turned out to be an extensive pursuit that extended into and around Tent in Taylor County and back into Nolan County, and at times reached speeds of up to 104 miles per hour. The suspect went all the way west on I-20 to Roscoe then back on I-20 eastbound. Eller exited just east of Sweetwater and actually drove by the residence where the victim lived. Eller did not slow down or stop at the victim’s house due to the heavy presence of law enforcement that had already been staged at the house. During this pursuit, the suspect continued to make cell phone calls to the victim and other parties. The suspect made statements like he wouldn’t be taken alive and made references to going out by “suicide by cop.”

The suspect got back onto the Interstate and headed east bound again. By this time there were numerous units of the Texas Department of Public Safety involved and assisting in the pursuit. Texas DPS Troopers was able to successfully deploy spike strips at about the 258 mile marker. As Eller’s tires were beginning to deflate, he actually increased speed and attempted to run into a bridge support column in an act of attempted suicide. Not being able to control his vehicle well, Eller missed the bridge support column and hit a guard rail that disabled his vehicle.

Eller was eventually taken into custody at 10:07AM after a 27 minute standoff with law enforcement. Sgt. Collier transported Eller to the Nolan County jail where he was booked in on Evading Arrest with Vehicle, a 3rd Degree Felony. Thankfully, nobody was injured in the pursuit or standoff and the investigation continues with additional criminal charges to be filed against Eller. We are very appreciative of all the area agencies that assisted in this matter, especially the many DPS Troopers that supported us.

Sheriff David Warren

On Sunday, January 21, 2018 a Nolan County deputy stopped a black Dodge Dart in the in the 500 block of East Avenue A for defective equipment. Contact was made with the driver, David Renfro, of Sweetwater who was accompanied by Dylan Joseph Kirkpatrick, Kristopher William Cuellar-Garcia, and a female passenger, also of Sweetwater.

During a roadside investigation, Renfro was found to have no driver license, and no insurance and was arrested. Kirkpatrick was found to have outstanding warrants and was also arrested. During an inventory of the vehicle, the deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana which subsequently led to the discovery of suspected marijuana.

Renfro, Kirkpatrick and Cuellar-Garcia were all arrested and transported to Nolan County jail. Cuellar-Garcia will be charged for the misdemeanor offense of Possession of Marijuana.

On Saturday, December 16, 2017, a Nolan County deputy stopped a white Ford Fusion in the 500 block of West Avenue D, for a minor traffic infraction. Contact was then made with the driver, who was accompanied by a female passenger and a male passenger that was identified as Nicholas Bryan Haley, of Sweetwater.

During a roadside investigation, the deputy detected indicators of criminal activity that led to the discovery of suspected marijuana. Haley was placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where he was charged with the misdemeanor offense of possession of marijuana. This case will be filed with the Nolan County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of individuals becoming victim to scams when dealing with Facebook online trading and selling sites. We are urging citizens to use caution with purchasing online, after receiving reports from victims who have tried to purchase items and never received them.

Unlike websites such as eBay there is no secure payment facility such as PayPal or feedback systems in place, which means it is up to buyers and sellers to agree on prices and payment methods.

Caution advised

People using these trade sites should exercise caution as it is possible for fraudsters to post pictures of items for sale that either do not exist or are counterfeit.

In some cases, fraudsters have been offering items for sale and demanding that payment is made by bank or wire transfer. When victims ask if payment can be made through PayPal, a variety of excuses are given as to why they cannot.

Victims have reported transferring money directly into fraudsters bank account, or to a pick up location such as Brookshire’s or Walmart.

Items never received 

In one report an out of town buyer purchased an item listed for sale and after wiring the payment to the seller, it was agreed that the item would be held for the buyer to pick up. When the buyer asked to meet the seller in person they were given an excuse as to why the seller couldn’t meet. The victim never received the item.

In another occasion, the seller then suggested if an item could be sent by recorded delivery with payment by bank transfer instead of cash. The buyer then transferred the money to the fraudsters bank account. The victim never received the item and the fraudster blocked their messages.

How to protect yourself 

• If someone’s message or profile looks suspicious, trust your instincts and walk away.
• Meet people face to face, beware if they refuse.
• Never transfer money directly into a sellers account without viewing the item in person first.
• Always carefully inspect items before purchasing.
• When purchasing smaller items, do the exchange in a public place such a local law enforcement agency.
• Beware of offers involving shipping.
• Watch for suspicious email or text messages.
• Use an online payment option such as PayPal, which helps to protect you.
• Do not accept cashiers/certified checks, money orders. If you deposit or cash a fake check, the bank will hold you responsible. Only consider this type of payment if meeting the buyer/seller at a bank for large transactions to verify payment.
• Don’t send money wires to people you don’t know.
• Refuse transactions with anyone who sends over-payment in advance.
• Avoid transactions requesting third-party escrow services.
• If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
• Never give out personal or financial information.
• Do not agree to background/credit checks unless you have met the landlord/employer in person.
• Facebook does not offer any buyer/seller guarantees or protection, anyone who claims to have such a guarantee is a scammer.

On Saturday December 9, 2017, a Nolan County deputy stopped a tan Chevrolet Suburban on State Highway 153, for defective equipment. Contact was then made with the driver, who was accompanied by several passengers, one passenger that was identified as Normando Alonso Villarreal Martinez, of Mexico.

During a roadside investigation, the deputy detected indicators of criminal activity that led to the discovery of THC, marijuana, and paraphernalia used in its consumption. Martinez was placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where he was charged with the felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. This case will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.