Manhunt Centering on DFW Area

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Manhunt centering on D-FW

Police investigating tips on 7 escapees

01/02/2001

By / The Dallas Morning News

The search for seven prison escapees accused of killing an Irving police officer

is focusing on the Dallas-Fort Worth area, a Texas Department of Criminal

Justice official said Monday.

Although the search has spread throughout the Southwest, TDCJ spokesman Larry

Todd said, promising leads make authorities think the seven men are still in the

metropolitan area.

Halprin

Harper

Newbury

Rivas

" We've had several sightings, but none of them have helped us make an arrest, "

Mr. Todd said. " We believe some of the sightings are possibly good and we're

looking into them. We've had more sightings in the Dallas area than anywhere

else. But there's also been more media attention there. "

He declined to give locations or other details about the reported sightings.

The fugitives - two convicted killers, two armed robbers, a child abuser, a

serial rapist and a burglar - escaped from the Connally unit near Kenedy, Texas,

on Dec. 13. A task force including local, state and federal law officers is

investigating whether the escapees can be linked to the Sunday morning robbery

of a fireworks stand in southern Dallas County near Hutchins.

In that heist, three robbers stole a .38-caliber pistol, cellular telephones,

$3,400 in cash, fireworks and a 1998 metallic blue Dodge pickup with Texas

license plates 1BTN60. Employees at the stand told reporters that the robbers,

who wore dark camouflage clothing and bandanas, said they did not intend to go

back to prison.

Officials said they weren't sure whether the seven fugitives were responsible

for the fireworks stand robbery.

" We've made no determination either way, " Dallas County sheriff's investigator

Don Peritz said Monday.

Police think the escapees shot and killed Irving police Officer Aubrey Hawkins

on Christmas Eve while robbing an Oshman's sporting goods store in Irving.

In that robbery, the men stole more than 25 automatic weapons, ammunition,

winter clothing and $70,000 in cash and checks. Those weapons are in addition to

the shotgun, rifle and 14 handguns taken during their prison escape.

Police in Pearland, Texas, have issued warrants for the arrest of two of the

escapees - Rivas, 30, and Newbury, 38 - in connection with

the Dec. 15 robbery of a Radio Shack in that Houston-area community. The men

stole police scanners and other radio equipment, which, authorities say, have

made it easier for the fugitives to elude police.

Rewards totaling $100,000 have been offered for information aiding in the

capture of the men.

" People need to be aware that these people have changed their appearance, " Mr.

Todd said. " They've grown beards and mustaches and are using other disguises. If

there is any doubt, call 911 and we'll respond. "

Anyone with information about the men, including their whereabouts or crimes

they might have committed, should call 911 or 1- (toll free). On a

cellular phone, dial *DPS (377).