The Arlington Police Department has made an arrest in connection to the December 2023 death of 56-year-old Tho Tieu, who was run over by a vehicle and killed during a robbery outside the restaurant where she worked.

Following a thorough investigation, detectives identified the suspect as 35-year-old Fernando Taylor and obtained a warrant for his arrest on one count of Capital Murder. He was located in the Houston area and was taken into custody without incident by the Houston Police Department. Mr. Taylor is currently being held at the Harris County Jail while he awaits extradition to Tarrant County.

After reviewing footage from traffic and Flock cameras near the crime scene, APD’s Real Time Crime Center helped homicide detectives identify a vehicle of interest in the case. Detectives then spent several weeks conducting intensive follow-up investigation which led them to Mr. Taylor.

Based on digital and financial evidence, they believe Mr. Taylor followed Ms. Tieu for an extended period of time the morning of the incident as she traveled to multiple businesses and ultimately the restaurant. It remains unclear why he took an interest in Ms. Tieu – but once she arrived at the restaurant, detectives believe Mr. Taylor pulled up next to her, grabbed and successfully stole her purse, then drove away from the scene. During the struggle for her purse, it appears Ms. Tieu fell to the ground and was then run over by Mr. Taylor’s vehicle as he fled.

“This was a complex investigation with many moving parts,” said Chief of Police Al Jones. “But thanks to the unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts of our Homicide Unit, Real Time Crime Center, South Patrol District, Community Action Team, NIBIN Engagement Team, Economic Crimes Unit, and our law enforcement partners in Houston, we were able to crack this case open. Some really outstanding police work was done here – and I hope this sends a clear message that if you commit a violent crime in Arlington, we will do everything in our power to deliver justice.”

ORIGINAL RELEASE

On Friday, December 29, 2023, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the Arlington Police Department responded to a shopping center in the 6500 block of New York Avenue after a passerby reported seeing a woman engaged in some type of physical struggle with a man.

When officers arrived on scene, they found the 56-year-old woman lying unresponsive in the parking lot. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Based on their investigation, detectives believe the woman -- who is employed by one of the businesses in the shopping center – was followed by the suspect who then attempted to rob her.

Based on the condition she was found in, it appears the woman may have fallen during the struggle and was struck by the suspect’s vehicle as he was fleeing the scene.

No arrests have been made. Detectives do not have a great description of the suspect or the vehicle he drove off in – and are asking members of the public to call in with tips.

Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Stafford at (817) 459-5739. Tipsters can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County at (817) 469-8477.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the deceased once she is positively identified and next of kin have been notified.