Man Nabbed After Taking Money Bag

A Dallas man is in custody facing a felony theft charge and an evading arrest charge after he stole a money bag from Carl’s Jr. inside the Love’s Truck Stop on Interstate 20.

Tony Perry, 38, grabbed the bag and ran out the door with store employees chasing him. Once outside, Perry ran across the road into a field.

"Perry and another man pulled up to Love’s and Perry went inside. When he ran outside with the money, he wanted the driver to leave. He refused so Perry dropped the bag and ran," said Van Police Chief Kelly Smith.

Smith said that the Van Police Department K-9 tracked him into the field and through a collaborative effort between all officers on the scene and a Texas Ranger in the Dallas area, Perry was located and taken into custody.

"I really appreciate all the help we got on this. I want to thank Texas Department of Public Safety troopers from Van Zandt and Smith Counties, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, the Van Zandt County Precinct 4 Constable’s office, Grand Saline Police Department and Texas Rangers Kenny Ray and Brent Davis," said Smith.

Smith said that Ray Birch of East Texas Flying Service provided a helicopter during the search for Perry.

Perry was transported to the Van Zandt County Jail where he will await arraignment.