Denton police say a 27-year-old man is behind bars after a tense home invasion, a stolen car and a search that pulled in federal marshals and a K-9 team. Officers arrested Arturo Lara on Thursday after a woman was allegedly threatened at knifepoint in her home and her vehicle taken. She was taken to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening, and officers later tracked down the stolen car before taking Lara into custody. Police say additional charges are in the works.
Home invasion and vehicle theft
According to the City of Denton Police Department, a man matching Lara’s description forced his way into a woman’s home in the 2000 block of Mistywood Lane, pushed her and threatened her with a knife before driving off in her vehicle. A 911 caller later reported seeing a man in a backyard in the 1900 block of Williamsburg Row. Officers eventually located the stolen vehicle in the 500 block of E. Windsor Drive and set up a perimeter in the area. Police say Lara ran when officers tried to serve a federal probation revocation warrant, which they described as the original reason they were attempting to arrest him.
Multi-agency search and task force role
The U.S. Marshals Service notes that the Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force routinely teams up with local departments to serve federal warrants and track fugitives, providing extra personnel and investigative tools for more complicated arrests, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. That task force has logged hundreds of arrests across East Texas. Denton police brought in a K-9 unit during the search while investigators worked to secure the area around N. Bell Avenue and E. Windsor Drive.
Booking and next steps
In a social media post, the City of Denton Police Department said Lara will be booked into the Denton County Jail and that more charges are expected. The department asked anyone with information about the case, or who spots suspicious activity, to call 911. For those keeping an eye on the legal aftermath, Denton County maintains an online inmate roster through the sheriff’s office, according to the Denton County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities have not yet released a full list of charges against Lara.
