UNSOLVED CASES
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Unsolved Hit & Run Pedestrian Accidents
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The Midland Police Department needs your help solving two unsolved Pedestrian Hit & Run’s. Both cases have been publicized; unfortunately, the few tips received have been unfounded thus far. We would appreciate any information you may have that may bring justice to these victims and their families.
HIT & RUN PEDESTRIAN FATALITY - CN #230207041
On February 7, 2023, a complainant found an unresponsive man lying on the north service road of the 1800-1900 block E I-20. The male had been struck by an unknown vehicle, which fled the scene. The victim was Lazaro Resendiz Villafuerte, who succumbed to his injuries. If you have any information, it could help solve this case.
HIT & RUN PEDESTRIAN CRASH - CN #230506028
On May 6, 2023, at approximately 8:51 p.m., an unknown vehicle was traveling north on the 1700 block of N. Big Spring St. and disregarded a red light at N Big Spring St/W Golf Course Rd. The car struck a pedestrian crossing the roadway at the intersection and fled the scene. The pedestrian suffered severe bodily injuries and was ultimately airlifted to a Lubbock, TX, hospital. There were pieces of a headlight cover left at the scene, and the suspect’s vehicle should have the front left headlight area damaged. All leads have been exhausted in this case, and any information would be appreciated.
MISSING PERSON
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Midland Crime Stoppers and the Midland Police Dept. need your help solving a Missing Person case.
On January 2018, Caitlin Denison of Reno, NV, told her family she was in Midland, Texas, with a man she met in Reno. Her family advised they received a call from Caitlin sometime on January 10, 2018, telling them she felt scared for her life. She has not been seen or heard from since then.
Caitlin is described as 5 feet, 120 lbs, with blond hair and blue eyes. Caitlin has a tattoo on her left finger of an alien head and the letter “M.” She also has a Libra scale tattoo on her left forearm. In addition, she has two piercings on each side of her nose and a piercing on her bottom lip. If you have any information on Caitlin Denison that helps solve the case, it would be worth a $2,500 cash reward. No caller ID is ever used, and you will remain anonymous.
Caitlin is described as 5 feet, 120 lbs, with blond hair and blue eyes. Caitlin has a tattoo on her left finger of an alien head and the letter “M.” She also has a Libra scale tattoo on her left forearm. In addition, she has two piercings on each side of her nose and a piercing on her bottom lip. If you have any information on Caitlin Denison that helps solve the case, it would be worth a $2,500 cash reward. No caller ID is ever used, and you will remain anonymous.
TEXAS RANGERS - HOMICIDE
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***UPDATE*** - On 06/09/2022, The Texas Rangers positively identified Human Remains found in 2013 as Sylvia Smith. Sylvia Smith was last seen on Valentine’s Day of 2000. Sylvia had been reported as Missing/Runaway to Midland Police Department by her mother. Sylvia was 16 years old when she disappeared. Since discovering the remains in 2013, the Texas Rangers have worked tirelessly on this investigation to give this female her name back. With the assistance of the Midland County District Attorney’s Office, DNA was submitted to Parabon Nanolabs (Private Lab) for advanced DNA analysis and Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Through working with Parabon’s Genetic Genealogist and interviewing numerous persons who possibly shared DNA with the victim, Texas Rangers were able to identify potential family members in Midland. A DNA reference sample was obtained from the family and a comparison with the unidentified remains yielded a match, thus identifying the remains as those of Sylvia Smith. Evidence in this investigation has revealed Sylvia died as the result of a homicide. This is now an investigation into the Murder of Sylvia Smith. Prior to her disappearance, Sylvia had attended Lee High school and worked at Golden Corral in Midland. Although the recent identification will bring some closure to the family, this family still deserves more answers. Texas Rangers are asking for anyone with information regarding the Murder of Sylvia Smith to contact Crime Stoppers If you are the first person to call with information that leads to an arrest, you will be eligible for a cash reward. You will remain anonymous because caller ID is never used. Please help us find justice for Sylvia.
**PREVIOUS UPDATE** The Texas Rangers have been working on this cold case. The remains have been identified as a Black female, rather than a White or Hispanic female as originally thought through DNA analysis. The Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Rangers are asking for your assistance with an investigation into the discovery of unidentified human remains. On August 1, 2013, unidentified human remains were discovered near an oilfield location in Midland County approximately 10 miles south of Interstate 20 near FM 1213. The remains were determined to be a Black female (as of 07/26/21), 14-21 years old at the time of death, and 59 to 67 inches tall. A DNA profile was developed and has been compared to several local missing persons as well as entered into the national database. Homicide is suspected.
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**TXDPS/Texas Rangers offering a $3,000 cash reward. The Texas Rangers and Midland County Sheriff's Office need your help solving a Cold Case.
On April 2, 2009, Pamela McDonald of Midland was reported missing. Soon after disappearing, her vehicle was located in Ward County near Monahans. In January 2012, her skeletal remains were located in Upton County not far from the Midland County line. Important information has been obtained through Crime Stopper leads but the Sheriff's Office is seeking the final pieces to this puzzle to get justice for her children. If you are the first person to call with information that leads to an arrest, will be eligible for a cash reward. You will remain anonymous and no caller ID is ever used.
On Tuesday, October 6, 2009, at 6:42 a.m., a passing motorist came upon a Red 2007 Dodge Pickup on a cement embankment on the north service road of the 4300 block of West Wall and Midland Drive. The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle who was later identified as 45-year old James Jimmy Thomas was found slumped over the steering wheel. Thomas was covered in blood and unresponsive. Emergency medical personnel later confirmed that James Thomas was deceased. James Thomas used to frequent motels around the West Wall Street area and people knew him by his street name of "Sidewalk". Evidence at the scene indicates that this case would be classified as a Homicide. If you are the first person to call with information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible, it will be worth a $2,500 Cash Reward.
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On January 19, 1992, Manuel Galindo was admitted to the emergency room at Midland Memorial Hospital where he died due to multiple stab wounds in his upper torso. The investigation revealed that an argument began near the Dog House Lounge located in the 300 block of North Mineola between Galindo and his friends and several other Hispanic males. The argument continued and moved to the parking lot of Al`s Grocery which in 1992 was located at the corner of Tennessee Ave and Mineola Street. According to witnesses, Manuel was able to go to his home after the fight where he alerted relatives that he had been stabbed.There were several participants in this fight and in all the confusion a killer has managed to remain free and this homicide remains unsolved. Manuel Galindo was only 19 years old when he was murdered. If you are the first person to call with information that identifies the actor in this homicide and solves this cold case, it will be worth a $2,500 cash reward. You will remain anonymous and no caller ID is ever used.
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On February 2, 1980, that 19-year old Kristy Lynne Booth disappeared from the Dimensions Nightclub at 411 Airpark. Investigators exhausted all leads in the case and have yet to solve the crime. Kristy, was at the club partying with friends. She was discovered missing around 11:00pm. She had gone outside, for unknown reasons, and left her shoes and coat inside the club. The weather was cold and icy and it is surmised that she either left the club unwillingly or went outside with the intention of staying only a short time. Her friend, Ron Ferrengburg (now deceased) had borrowed her car. The vehicle, a 1977 white and maroon AMC Pacer, was found abandoned 1.6 miles south on State Highway 349 on February 4, 1980. The vehicle had been driven 268 miles after being repaired on the day of her disappearance. There has been no new information on the case for several years. The Midland Police Department refuses to close the case and request that anyone with any information on the case call Midland Crime Stoppers. You may be eligible for a $2,500 cash reward.
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The Midland Police Department needs the public's help in a Missing Person case. Jeffery Wayne Braziel B/M 38 years old 5'6 150 was last seen on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, in the area of Lee and Illinois. Jeffery is missing a front tooth and is mentally challenged. If you have any information about what happened to Jeffery and it helps investigators solve this case, you will be eligible for a $2,500 cash reward.