Marble Falls Police Department

By Connie Swinney •
Staff Writer •

It typically prompts a double take. However, that's the point – to get those who notice to “think pink” for breast cancer awareness.

Marble Falls police officers are donning bright pink badges and patches in the place of the traditional ones for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

“We participated with the fire department last year with the Pink Out (event),” Marble Falls Police Capt. Glenn Hanson said. “We decided we would show our support for the cause.

“To that end, we ordered the pink badges and patches,” he added.

From family to co-workers, the lives of millions of women are impacted each year by the diagnosis.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported that 108 new cases per 100,000 women are diagnosed each year.

Connie Swinney
Staff Writer •

Investigators believe the driver of a pickup truck may have fallen asleep at the wheel resulting in a head-on collision on FM 2147 West at the Rocky Road intersection in Marble Falls.

According to the police report, the accident happened just after 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17 on the roadway less than a mile from the U.S. 281 bridge intersection.

Caleb Taylor, 27, of College Station was driving a 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck, traveling north towards U.S. 281, according to the Marble Falls police report.

Katherine Eaton, 53, of Horseshoe Bay was driving a 2017 Cadillac SUV, traveling south towards Horseshoe Bay.

“The driver of the pickup truck fell asleep at the wheel and crossed the double yellow line,” Marble Falls Police Capt. Glenn Hanson said. “It knocked the Cadillac off the road and down the (westside) embankment into a growth of trees.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Credit card skimmers are becoming more sophisticated and that is going to call for consumer vigilance, according to the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD).

Police say a skimmer was found Tuesday, April 24, inside a pump at the Kwik Chek Exxon, 1003 Ranch to Market Road 1431 in Marble Falls.

“We have been asking people to look on the outside for skimmers installed there before they pay with a card, but the last two or three discovered in this area have been inside the pumps,” said MFPD Capt. Glenn Hanson. “Sometimes pumps are accessed by a key and the thieves may be coming up with a master key,” he said. “We don't know yet how much time it takes to install one, but it must be quickly and discretely.”

Hanson said to combat the problem the department has been urging gas stations and convenience stores to check their pumps regularly.

This Saturday, April 28, is the day to eliminate all those unused prescription medications from around the house.

In conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Drug Take Back program, the Marble Falls Police Department, Burnet County Sheriff's Office and an area pharmacy will host locations where people can anonymously dispose of outdated and unused prescription drugs.

No questions or requests for identification will be made, and medication labels will not be read. Syringes/needles, "sharps," and scalpels, however cannot be accepted.

“Unused prescriptions sometimes seem like 'fair game' to kids who might ingest them or people from out of the household who might take them for illegal consumption,” said Marble Falls Police Chief Mark Whitaker. “On Saturday, someone will be on hand from 10 a.m.-2p.m. at the Public Safety Facility (606 Avenue N, Marble Falls) to man a drop-off box in the lobby.”

Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

A suspect has been identified in six car burglaries that took place in Marble Falls from March 14-15.

Surveillance camera footage captured an image of the burglar, but the image was as much use in tracking down the suspected perpetrator as working leads in the case, according to Sgt. Investigator Barry Greer.

“We hope to have arrest warrants sworn out today,” he said just before the department reported in force to Mormon Mill Road where a suspicious package had been found Monday, March 19.

Then, Tuesday, MFPD Capt. Glenn Hanson confirmed at least one warrant had been issued and apprehension of the suspect is in progress.

“The burglaries happened in five or six different areas of town,” said Greer. “In every case, the vehicles were unlocked.”

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

A pair of separate pursuits involving the Marble Falls Police Department this past weekend landed two individuals in the Burnet County Jail on assorted charges.

The emergency has been declared "all clear." See the new story here on HighlanderNews.com.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Mormon Mill Road traffic in Marble Falls was blocked Monday due to the report of a suspicious package at the car wash on that street that turned out to be nothing harmful.

The Marble Falls Police Department kept traffic cordoned off for the arrival of a Austin PD bomb disposal unit, which determined the “package” was not a bomb.

Two juveniles are in custody charged with terroristic threat in connection with an incident at Marble Falls High School (MFHS) today, Feb. 16, that illustrates the ready response of local schools and law inforcement.

The matter was handled so quickly and quietly that most staff and students were unaware it had happened. And, in a letter to parents issued later in the day, MFHS Principal Damon S. Adams said, "We are confident that there is no threat to our students or our school."

Shortly after 9 a.m., a report about the issue was made to Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD) Officer Tim McIntyre, the school resource officer. The school administration was notified and MFPD detectives responded to assist in the investigation that revealed a second student was involved.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

A motorist passing through Marble Falls Thursday morning, Dec. 21, had a bad start to his holiday when he drifted into the wall of the US 281 bridge.

North and southbound traffic was delayed for about 45 minutes while Marble Falls police and fire personnel cleared the wreckage of the 2017 Camry from the inside lane.

“He was driving through Marble Falls from San Antonio to pick up his kids for the holiday,” said Patrol Sgt. Jimmy Cole. “He was tired and just drifted to the left.

“No one hit him from behind and he had just a few minor injuries. That is a reason it is so important to observe that 35 mph speed limit approaching and crossing the bridge.”

“We felt bad for him,” added Cole. “We gave him a lift to rent a car.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Early Monday morning, Nov. 27, Patrol Sgt. Barry Greer of the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD) recovered a 2005 Toyota pickup that turned out to be a stolen vehicle.

“The car was driving through a residential neighborhood in Marble Falls,” said Capt. Glenn Hanson. “Sgt. Greer ran the plates and it came back stolen in Williamson County.”

Greer gave pursuit and the car led him into Blanco County. Near Round Mountain on County Road 962, off US 281, the pickup stopped.

“Three occupants got out and ran, but one was apprehended at the scene,” said Hanson. “It continues to be under investigation.”