Burglary turns into arson & attempted murder of woman & baby

[Hoi Polloi]

Woman, son pulled from blazing Rowlett home set on fire by burglar

A neighbor and old family acquaintance who is believed to be an ex-convict asked to use a Rowlett woman's phone a few days ago. The woman says he wasn't allowed in the house, but was allowed the use of the telephone. A few days later, the family says, he returned to the home while the family wasn't there. They suspect he was on drugs and had burglary as a motive as he entered through a broken garage door that did not fasten securely. From there, the family says, he entered the attic and from the attic they believe he cut a hole in the ceiling and gained access to the house.

The woman of the house returned with her 18-month-old son in her arms around 5 PM and reports that she was met with blows about her face and head as she walked in her home. The burglar then allegedly put the mother and child in the bathroom and threatened to kill them if they tried to escape. The woman says she heard a liquid being poured around the house which the family now believes was gasoline from the garage. The homeowner says she tried to escape as the house was lit on fire, but the man captured her again and threw her and the baby upon the couch that was already in flames. She tells of how she struggled to get free and next ran onto the back patio where she was trapped by the backyard gate that was locked from the outside. The woman doesn't remember much after that as she says the man found her at the back fence where he allegedly beat and strangled her until she passed out.

Jake Joplin was arriving home and saw the fire in his neighbor's house and tried to enter the front door when he heard the baby's cries from the back yard. The baby had scrapes and bruises, singed hair on his head and face, and a busted chin. The mother was badly burned on one side of her body and unconscious. Mr. Joplin pulled them both to safety. Mother and child are now safely recovering from the physical and emotional traumas of the beating.

The house and all its belongings were completely destroyed in the fire. It is believed the suspect escaped with a wallet and a laptop. Police are conducting an intensive search for the man. A poster to an online news website claiming to be the suspect's aunt praises Jake Joplin's heroism and apologizes on behalf of her family for the "senseless tragedy," saying they will turn Mr. Steele in if they discover his whereabouts. The victim's extended family believes the burglar was surprised by her returning home and was attempting to kill her in order to leave no witness to the burglary. They are fearful that he'll try to return and finish the job they believe he started.

The victim's family is asking for prayers for both victim and suspect and their extended families and are recommending others take precautions to avoid being a victim of similar crimes. Among those recommendations are securing all outside doors, keeping dangerous chemicals out of plain sight, and not locking backyard gates from the outside.

Anyone with information about the crime or the whereabouts of Jeffrey Steele is urged to contact the police.


edited to fix link

[seamusTX]

The cream of America's youth was arrested at 8 a.m. today:
http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Suspect- ... 91384.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[Hoi Polloi]

Thanks for the update, Jim! It makes me want to set up a fund to sponsor the CHL class for any women who hold protective orders or are legally identified as victims of crimes against a person. I know it doesn't do any good after the fact, but these women should not have to live in fear, continuing to be victimized and at the mercy of criminals.

[Texas Dan Mosby]

They believe he was on drugs and had burglary as a motive...

IMO, this is one of THE biggest mistakes made by citizens and crime "reporters" alike. Unless one is psychic, which I am not, there is NO way you can guess the intent of criminals, and "believing" that a criminal is just out for property is unwise and extremely risky. When the consequences of being wrong are your life, it is best not to gamble on the "good will" and intent of the criminal. There are plenty of dead citizens who thought their murderers were "burglars" or "just wanted their wallets/purse".

IMO, the failed murderer in this story should meet with a short rope and a tall tree.

[Jasonw560]

Thanks for the update, Jim! It makes me want to set up a fund to sponsor the CHL class for any women who hold protective orders or are legally identified as victims of crimes against a person. I know it doesn't do any good after the fact, but these women should not have to live in fear, continuing to be victimized and at the mercy of criminals.

I think we'd all pitch in with what we could to get it started.

[mgood]

In my opinion, we don't need "three strikes and you're out" in this case. This is one strike and you're out.
This individual has shown that he is unfit to live among us and should never again have the opportunity to participate in society.

Steele has been charged with two counts of attempted capital murder with a bond set at $500,000 on each count.

And I guess they've got burglary and arson.
Article says he's 34 now. How old you think he'll be when he's back on the street? (Assuming he's found guilty?)

[seamusTX]

It makes me want to set up a fund to sponsor the CHL class for any women who hold protective orders or are legally identified as victims of crimes against a person.

Getting a CHL is one of the last steps in realizing that each person is responsible for her or his own well-being.

How can people be persuaded that they need to start down that road?

That would include not associating with drug addicts, convicted felons, and other criminals. These people are quick to dirty their own back yard, as in this sad case.

In this case, the victim walked into her house and was immediately assaulted. No weapon would have saved her if she was not mentally prepared.

Here are a few more scum-of-the-earth cases:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/art ... 367998.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_ ... 361132.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


- Jim

[Jasonw560]

Anyone who kills inocent kids deserves to be found guilty, drug out into the front of the courthouse with TV cameras watching, and disposed of properly.

[OldCurlyWolf]

In my opinion, we don't need "three strikes and you're out" in this case. This is one strike and you're out.
This individual has shown that he is unfit to live among us and should never again have the opportunity to participate in society.

Steele has been charged with two counts of attempted capital murder with a bond set at $500,000 on each count.

And I guess they've got burglary and arson.
Article says he's 34 now. How old you think he'll be when he's back on the street? (Assuming he's found guilty?)

IMS, Attempted Capital Murder has a Max sentence of Life. In Texas there is not a Life without possibility. But if sentences are to run consecutive, he would have a small chance to get parole at age 80+

[Hoi Polloi]

It makes me want to set up a fund to sponsor the CHL class for any women who hold protective orders or are legally identified as victims of crimes against a person.

Getting a CHL is one of the last steps in realizing that each person is responsible for her or his own well-being.

How can people be persuaded that they need to start down that road?

That would include not associating with drug addicts, convicted felons, and other criminals. These people are quick to dirty their own back yard, as in this sad case.

In this case, the victim walked into her house and was immediately assaulted. No weapon would have saved her if she was not mentally prepared.

Here are a few more scum-of-the-earth cases:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/art ... 367998.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_ ... 361132.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


- Jim

You're right. There's a lack of information out there. Women are told to rely on the police. She couldn't get to a phone. While she might not have been able to draw and shoot at the point of the initial beating, she had numerous other opportunities such as the bathroom escape, the couch escape, and the backyard encounter. But if she had a gun on her and wasn't prepared to use it, she would likely have never drawn it or if she did draw it she could have easily had it taken away and used against her. We need to reach women with this breadth of information to prevent more situations like this. It needs to go beyond straight CHL and needs to encompass history, law, culture, awareness, practical advice, and hands-on application.

[seamusTX]

I think this is a message that women have to carry to women. Too many people (men and women) want to think that they live in a "safe" neighborhood and nothing bad can happen to them.

As I tried to say, weapons are among the last steps, not the first. The process has to start with understanding the need, taking responsibility, situational awareness, and such simple steps as locking doors and outdoor lighting.

You're in Crossfire's neighborhood, more or less.

- Jim