Police make arrests in repo man murder

[TexasStooge]

By REBECCA LOPEZ / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Police said Thursday they have caught the men who have terrorized a west Dallas neighborhood and allegedly killed a repo man last month.

Investigators raided a home in the area, and arrested brothers Robbie and Robert Padilla and another man, Thomas Pena, in connection with the murder of 30-year-old Willie George.

Neighbors said Toronto Street used to be quiet, but had been taken over by the Padilla family and their associates. Police said George may have been killed because he happened to be on their street at the wrong time.

"They are shooting all the time," said one neighbor, afraid to show her face on camera.

Those who live in the area said the Padillas and the people they associate with sometimes blocked the street, refusing to let people through, and said the brothers act like the street belongs to them.

"It's always crowded out there with the whole family, and if you try to get through they block the street (and) look at you like you are crazy," a neighbor said. "You say 'move' and they start cussing."

Police said on November 18, the Padillas and Pena, 28, killed George, perhaps because they thought he was on their turf. George was in the area to legally repossess a car when police said the men blocked him in and started shooting. They then chased the victim for miles until they allegedly shot him to death in Irving.

"I can say that this appears to be a random act, and nothing Mr. George was doing in terms of repossessing a vehicle came into play in the actual murder," said Dallas Police Sgt. Ken Sprecher.Dallas police officers, including the gang unit, searched the Padilla home. Sources said the men, who all have prison records, may be part of a Hispanic prison gang.

Outside their home, they have a stuffed animal hanging from a noose. Gang sources said it's a warning to a rival black prison gang.

ATF officials were also on the scene searching for an automatic weapon police believe was used to kill George.

The Padillas' attorney told News 8 that he does not know of any gang ties, and he also said the suspects are family men who have been respectful to him.

The three men remained in jail Thursday night, charged with murder.