Maybe Jamie Elias and Adan Zermeno were stoked that their Dallas Stars would soon return and couldn't wait to hit the ice to celebrate. Or maybe it was mere coincidence that their burglary spree came just as the NHL lockout was coming to an end. Either way, they found themselves escaping from a stranger's Northwest Dallas home in the middle of the night on Sunday with a bag full of hockey equipment.
They made it to their 1997 Nissan sedan without being spotted, and it looked like they would get off scot free as they drove back to Oak Cliff.
What they failed to account for in plotting their night was just how tiring those late-night burgling expeditions can be. As they rolled down Tyler Street, Elias, who was driving, began to nod off. Zermeno must have been already out because he didn't notice as the car rolled to a stop in the middle of the road.
They were awakened at about 3 a.m. by someone rapping on the window. It was a police officer who wanted to know what they were doing parked in the middle of the street.
According to a police report, Elias, 20, and Zermeno, 24, explained that they were both very tired and were headed home after spending the evening in Northwest Dallas. Elias conceded that he must have fallen asleep at the wheel without realizing it. The officer placed him under arrest for driving without a license and obstructing a public roadway. Zermeno, who was carrying 1.5 grams of weed and had a Dallas County warrant, was also placed under arrest.
A search of the car revealed the hockey bag, which had been reported stolen earlier that night, and a $500 Bostitch nail gun that the officer presumed stolen. Both men were taken to jail and charged with burglary.
Zermeno was on probation for an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon conviction from 2011. Elias has a string of burglary convictions, plus one for check forgery. Both probably wish they had stopped at a 7-Eleven for some coffee.
