The Arlington Police Department announced a breakthrough in the investigation into the December 2023 death of Tho Tieu, a 56-year-old woman who was fatally run over during a robbery outside the restaurant where she worked.
After an investigation, detectives have arrested 35-year-old Fernando Taylor in connection with the incident. Mr. Taylor was apprehended in the Houston area by the Houston Police Department and is currently in custody at the Harris County Jail. A warrant for his arrest on one count of Capital Murder was obtained by the Arlington Police Department.
The breakthrough in the case came after detectives, with the assistance of the Real Time Crime Center, reviewed footage from traffic and Flock cameras near the crime scene. The analysis helped identify a vehicle of interest, leading to several weeks of intensive follow-up investigation that ultimately led to Mr. Taylor.
According to authorities, digital and financial evidence suggests that Mr. Taylor had been following Ms. Tieu on the morning of the incident as she visited multiple businesses and ultimately arrived at the restaurant where she worked. While the motive remains unclear, detectives believe Mr. Taylor confronted Ms. Tieu, grabbed her purse, and fled the scene in his vehicle. During the struggle, Ms. Tieu fell to the ground and was run over by Mr. Taylor's vehicle.
Chief of Police Al Jones commended the collaborative efforts of various units within the Arlington Police Department, including the Homicide Unit, Real Time Crime Center, South Patrol District, Community Action Team, NIBIN Engagement Team, and Economic Crimes Unit, as well as their law enforcement partners in Houston.
“This was a complex investigation with many moving parts,” said Chief Jones. “Thanks to the unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts of our team, 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.”
The incident occurred on Friday, December 29, 2023, at approximately 10:00 a.m. when officers responded to a shopping center in the 6500 block of New York Avenue. A passerby had reported witnessing a physical struggle between Ms. Tieu and a man. Upon arrival, officers found Ms. Tieu lying unresponsive in the parking lot and pronounced her deceased at the scene. Detectives believe she was followed by the suspect, who attempted to rob her, leading to the tragic outcome.
