ANYONE who is ever driven Highway 287, the gate way to DFW from the Texas Panhandle either knows to slow down or has received a speeding ticket from this little town. It is one of the most well known speed traps in the Panhandle. (PS there is also one right around Sterling County.) I find a funny sense of irony about this situation. Tell me what you think!
God Bless Texas
Estelline chief resigns after oppression charge
Estelline’s chief of police turned in his badge Wednesday after a Monday altercation in Childress led to his arrest.
Duwayne Marcolesco, 46, surrendered his Texas peace officer license Wednesday after being arrested on an official oppression charge, Childress County Sheriff Mike Pigg said.
On Monday, Childress County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from two Wellington women who were stopped by Marcolesco. The women were driving to a hospital with a sick child when an unmarked vehicle driven by Marcolesco turned on police lights and pulled them over, Pigg said.
Marcolesco, who was not wearing a police uniform, approached the two women.
He identified himself and began to berate them, saying they were driving recklessly, Pigg said. He threatened to call Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and the women challenged him to do so.
Marcolesco told them off again before walking back to his personal vehicle and driving away north of U.S. Highway 83.
A sergeant investigated the complaint and interviewed Marcolesco, Pigg said. Marcolesco told the sergeant he had the right to pull over the women, which he did, but he was supposed to notify Childress County.
Childress County then got a warrant for his arrest since he did not notify deputies of the stop.
Marcolesco was brought to a Memphis judge and admitted to the offense, Pigg said. He was charged with the Class A misdemeanor and then taken to Childress County jail Wednesday. A judge set his bond at $3,000 and he was released the same day.
His charge was dismissed after he surrendered his license Wednesday. The charge carries a punishment of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
Texas Tidbits 