Detectives find Dallas car thief suspect already in jail

DALLAS - A tip from a FOX 4 viewer helped detectives identify the man suspected of dragging a 58-year-old man while stealing his car.

The tipster called FOX 4 after watching surveillance video of the July 27 robbery on TV. She said she recognized the man who drove away in Terry Edge’s 2013 Honda Civic and identified him as 28-year-old Leedon Ireland.

The video shows Edge getting out of his car at the Pecan Lake Mobile Home Park to check his mail. A thief quickly jumps in and starts driving away. Edge tries to intervene and is dragged about 65 to 79 feet.

“He’s the type of man that’s gonna fight for what’s his. And that’s what he did,” said his wife, Kimberly Edge.

FOX 4 shared the tip about Ireland with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office late Monday. His relative said has a history of trouble and was already in jail.

The department confirmed Ireland was arrested last week in Dallas County for allegedly breaking into a home in Plano in January. Detectives interviewed him Tuesday morning and are now calling him a suspect in this case.

Ireland was transferred to the Collin County jail overnight to face burglary of a habitation charges. Dallas County expects to file either robbery or theft charges against him soon.

Edge was treated for some scrapes and bruises after the dragging, but was not seriously hurt.