The Daily Blotter 03/08/10

AUSTIN (KXAN) - PD: Woman arrested for shoplifting, attempts to flee police

According to Austin Police Department arrest reports, 24-year-old Amber Marie Koszuta was at the Icing Jewelry Store last Thursday. Officers say she was in the back of the store putting several jewelry into in her purse. Koszuta was told to stop, but she refused and took off running. The officer tried to stop her, but was hit.

A customer who saw the whole thing grabbed Amber from behind to help the officer, but was bitten on the arm. The officer was finally able to restrain Koszuta by placing her in a chair.

Moments later, Koszuta sprang from the chair and ran towards JC Penny's. As she ran through the door, a Penny's employee grabbed her and they both fell down a flight of stairs. She later taken to the the hospital with unknown injuries. No word on the employee.

While at the hospital, officers told her she would be taken to jail after getting the doctor's okay. The officer says he noticed Koszuta looking at him and around the room. The officer went to get some gloves because he noticed Koszuta had sores on her body, so he left the room. At this point she took off running down the hallway. The officer yelled for her to stop, but she kept going. When she realized the door was locked, she turned back around and ran toward the officer. He tried to use his taser on her, but he missed.

After a brief tussle, police finally restrained her, by placing her on the ground and handcuffing her.

Koszuta was arrested and faces robbery by assault and escape from custody charges.

Police: Suspects arrested in aggravated robbery

The Cedar Park Police Department has arrested Robert Anthony Ponce, and Matthew Manuel Topete, both 29, in the aggravated robbery of a Shell Gas Station on Brusy Creek Road on March 2.

Details released by the media brought in news tips that led to the arrest of the duo. According to police, the duo entered the store, one armed with a handgun and the other armed with a shotgun. Nobody was injured during the incident.

Ponce is a resident of Cedar Park and Topete is a resident of Round Rock. Both Ponce and Topete are being held in the Williamson County Jail charged with aggravated robbery. Bail is set at $35,000 for each.
 

Police: Football player arrested for assault

Texas State University running back Karrington Blake Bush, 22, was charged with assault causing injury/family violence and spent Wednesday night in the Hays County Jail, said San Marcos police. He was released from custody this morning on a $3,000 surety bond.

Cops: Man allegedly used $310 in counterfeit bills

Chabryan Winston, 25, was arrested Thursday after a complaint to the police that he had been spending counterfeit bills.

Winston consented to a search and police report having found two conterfeit $20 bills with the same serial number in his front pocket.  The bills had no sign of traditional water marks or pictures.

After his arrest, Winston confessed to possession of the bills and admitted to having spent almost $310 worth of conterfeit money. Police were able to track down the spent bills.

Winston said he purchased the bills for $200 from a man at Highland Mall.

Cops: Cocaine reportedly found during DWI arrest

Gilbert Herrera, 54, allegedly rear ended another car Friday, leading to a police call that resulted in his arrest on a DWI charge.

After having reportedly failed multiple sobriety tests, police arrested Herrera. As an officer handcuffed him, police said Herrera made several attempts to reach in his backpocket and asked the officer to give the wallet inside to his wife. Police said they searched his pocket, removed the wallet and found a plastic bag with cocaine inside.

Following the discovery, police searched Herrera's car and report to have found more cocaine. In all, police said they found 2.3 grams of cocaine on Herrera and in his car.