An Aledo woman whose criminal record includes prison time for solicitation of murder was in the Parker County Jail on Wednesday night, accused of stealing outdoor Christmas decorations that she apparently then hung on other houses as part of a holiday-lighting business, authorities said Wednesday.
Dana Brock, 43, was arrested Wednesday morning at her residence in the 100 block of Rim Rock Road. She faces a charge of theft of property between $50 and $500.
Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said investigators believe she was doing much more than just stealing decorations.
"It appears that she was committing these offenses and then contracting with others to hang these stolen lights," Fowler said.
On Tuesday, the sheriff's office released to the media a copy of a home surveillance video that showed a woman nicking decorations, including a wreath, at 3 a.m. Investigators then got several tips about the thief's identity, according to a news release.
Once Brock's arrest became public, Fowler said, his office got more calls, including one from a Hurst resident who said Brock had hung lights on her home.
Besides Christmas lights and decorations, investigators found a number of laptops at her residence, including one that was reported stolen in Johnson County.
Brock remained in jail Wednesday evening. Bail had not been set.
She was already scheduled for trial on Jan. 14 in Parker County on a charge of assault on a family member.
Her criminal record includes a conviction for solicitation of murder in Coconino County, Ariz., where she was sent to prison on Nov. 27, 1987, and released on Dec. 13, 1990. She also has five Tarrant County convictions, including two assault with bodily injury cases, Fowler said.