Man reels Hummer limo out of Lake Texoma

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Posted: 10:54 PM Jan 13, 2008
Last Updated: 10:12 AM Jan 18, 2008
Reporter: Stephanie Brletic
Email Address: stephanie.brletic@kxii.com

81 comments

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LAKE TEXOMA -- One local man planned to spend the day at Lake Texoma with his family, hoping he might get a big catch. He never expected what he found fishing at Juniper West.

Boating on Lake Texoma seemed like just another day for Bob Faulkner until he reeled in what he calls the biggest catch of his life. He never expected that his big catch would turn out to be a stretch Hummer limousine.

Witnesses were just as shocked as Faulkner to see the vehicle.

"We was out fishing and we started to come up and we seen guys trying to hook onto something and found out that there ended up being a Humvee in the water and we didn't know what it was for a long time- we thought someone's boat sunk," says Shane Sawyers, a fisherman who witnessed the events unfold.

Faulkner says he was backing his boat up at the end of the day, when suddenly his 27.5 ft. watercraft stopped suddenly.

"The guy in the boat that was doing the hooking ended up- he was trying to pull it up with his anchor because he backed his boat into it and there was a bunch of people that put their boats in this morning. We did too.

And we never did hit it... And it's just a wonder that we didn't hit it," Sawyers says.

Pottsboro Police say they immediately recognized the vehicle.

"It was stolen from a residence in our city and we're still, as I said, we're still interviewing people, trying to gather the suspects and who we think it might be and put it all together," says Brett Arterburn, Pottsboro police chief.

Faulkner knew he hit something large and had to get it out of the water. When he attached his anchor and tried to remove the object, he pulled in a large piece of vinyl.

He contacted the Grayson County Sheriff's Office, and when deputies arrived, with Faulkner's help, after four tries, they reeled the vehicle in.

Faulkner says he couldn't believe his eyes as the roof just kept coming out of the water. He says finding any vehicle in the lake was a shock, but realizing he "caught" a stretch limousine is one catch he says he'll never forget.

The case is still under investigation and police say they do not know why someone stole the vehicle and then dumped it. They are investigating if anything was taken from the vehicle.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Bettin' Man on Jan 1, 2009 at 10:29 PM
If I was betting- I'd say they are just waiting on it to die down. That's what is meant by an "ongoing investigation".The PD likely hasn't thought about this in months! Nothing will ever come of this.

Posted by: English Major Location: Texas on Jan 1, 2009 at 12:10 PM
For those of you commenting on the grammatical skills of the individual who wrote this editorial, if you'd notice, there are quotation marks around the quotes taken from one of the spectators. The "bad grammer" is due to the language used by this individual, not the grammatical writing skills of the author.

Posted by: Me on Jan 1, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Shouldn't the insurance company do their own investigation before they pay out?

Posted by: T Location: Denison on Dec 31, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Well, what was the outcome of this #1 story of 2008! did they ever catch the culprit? Good question. We followed up with Pottsboro PD. They tell us the investigation is ongoing. -Staff

Posted by: chris Location: whitesboro on Oct 16, 2008 at 10:18 PM
y dont yall have some intellegence in the investigation if the keys where left in the ignition check the owner of the car duh!!!!!

Posted by: FrytheGuy Location: North Texas on May 26, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Im glad they brought it back up because I am convinced that this is insurance fraud. Hopefully some capable investigation will happen.

Posted by: Bill Location: Southmayd on May 19, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Hmm,I thought I saw Bigfoot driving a Hummer on New Years eve,break out the Bigfoot footage from last year, cause it's a slow news day,but I did hear the Postmaster licked a few stamps down at the P.O. Monday..........baby arm.....Hang 'em

Posted by: patient Location: sherman on May 19, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Hey guys-honest doctor is as much an oxymoron as honest lawyer-they dont exist!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on May 19, 2008 at 11:07 AM
FRAUD BOO FRAUD ! THATS WHY EVERYONES INSURANCE IS SOOOO HIGH !!!

Posted by: Boo Location: Sherman on May 19, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Someone worked terribly hard to get this story brought back up.... Now whatcha gonna do about it!!?!?!?

Posted by: John Location: sherman on May 19, 2008 at 08:37 AM
It was not making money so he dumped it !! Believe me I know !!!

Posted by: Shane Location: Sherman on Mar 4, 2008 at 03:50 AM
Anybody know where I can buy some Dewalt tools?

Posted by: auto sales Location: ardmore on Mar 2, 2008 at 06:20 PM
never seen a hummer without onstar gps

Posted by: brett Location: pottsboro on Feb 10, 2008 at 08:20 PM
you would have to be crazy to think that this was not insurance fraud by they what is his insurance i need to get rid of my bad investment brett

Posted by: ryan Location: pottsboro on Jan 20, 2008 at 03:49 PM
doesn't he drive a hummer?

Posted by: TO: PO-PO on Jan 18, 2008 at 12:29 PM
In response to 'he doesn't need the money'..what does that have to do with anything? Sure he makes good money- but when you've got THAT many toys, 'enough' is NEVER enough....

Posted by: Citizen Bob Location: Denison on Jan 18, 2008 at 11:31 AM
To po-po: To start with, the info was given out over the area police radios. It was not sent out by teletype because GSO dropped the ball and did not send it, as instructed. By the way, the word is "personally."

Posted by: po-po Location: sher town on Jan 18, 2008 at 01:42 AM
It was never sent over any of the local wires. Pottsboro police say they gave the information out but none of the local departments got a teletype on the vehicle. It is not a APB ifiot. To all you so called investigators or instigators how many limos have you seen in this area and thought gee it looks stolen to me. I know this man personnely and have for a very long time. He does not need the money and I believe tha the limo was paid for. He may not be as christian as you so called christians on this site but he is not a criminal. This is just typical of a small town and small news organization.

Posted by: Darin Location: Whitesboro on Jan 17, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Tim, I agree. We put these people "professionals" on a pedestal and they don't deserve it. wow - I don't have a house to sell, but makes me wish i did. Maybe I'd get a free nudie show. Shame ful it happened at a school.

Posted by: anonymous Location: Pottsboro on Jan 17, 2008 at 11:08 PM
isn't it strange that the garage just happened to be unlocked and the next door neighbors just happened to be out of town, coincidence, think not, fewer people around, fewer witnesses.

Posted by: Tommy Location: Sherman on Jan 17, 2008 at 10:47 PM
He is a Dr. but not an honest one, he charged my insurance co. for services he did not perform, needless to say, I never went back to him. He likes to cheat those insurance companies, must be at it again.

Posted by: anonymous Location: denison on Jan 17, 2008 at 08:45 PM
looks like insurance fraud to me...steal a hummer like that the drive it into the lake that is close to the location stolen ...ya right lol..I know the thing kept breakin down on him all of the time

Posted by: Anonymous Location: texas on Jan 17, 2008 at 02:02 PM
we were wondering did he have "gap insurance"?

Posted by: Anonymous Location: texas on Jan 17, 2008 at 02:01 PM
well i mean to tell ya i live 1 block away and i can assure you there werent any car thieves in that area of our town.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: texas on Jan 17, 2008 at 01:58 PM
sounds weird. if it smells like a duck and quacks like a duck it must be one. truth will set him free.

Posted by: Tim on Jan 17, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Wesley - Angel is right...just because he is a doctor doesn't mean he's above an insurance scam...think about it, how many times are we dissapointed by actions of professionals in our community - doctors, lawyers, dentists, etc. In fact, just the other night I took my mom to a real estate dinner at Austin College. I was sitting in the parking lot in my car waiting for the event to conclude when a group of adults from the meeting came out to smoke. One older lady completely opened her shirt & exposed her bare breasts to the entire group, me, and anyone else in viewing distance. I could not believe my eyes..it wasn't just a quick flash either. For a minute I thought I was in a strip club. The worst thing...there were students walking around. Totally disgusting. These were supposed to be professional people at this meeting. Do you think she flashes herself to people when she shows houses? Just another example of people we are supposed to view as professionals and respect.what a joke.

Posted by: angel on Jan 16, 2008 at 04:37 PM
WESLEY,who cares if he's a doctor and well respected,are you saying a doctor would'nt pay someone to drive a hummer in the lake,think again

Posted by: bubba redneck Location: sherman on Jan 16, 2008 at 03:50 PM
ok i have come to a conclusion...who cares if they did do it or not what kind of effect does it have on your lives....talk about alot of smoke blowers..

Posted by: Hello? on Jan 16, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Who is stopping anyone from doing their job?

Posted by: Thelma Location: Sherman on Jan 16, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Earth to Mork!!! I was comparing Winkler simply because someone claimed that the owners of the hummer were good people. I was stating that Winkler was a good person but she did something bad apparently like these folks did....nanu nanu

Posted by: Close to Victim Location: P-Town on Jan 16, 2008 at 12:34 PM
How do you know the P-Town PD didn't look for it? It was found in W-Town. This is not in their jurisdiction. An APB was sent to all surrounding countys. Some also asked how a black hummer limo just drives off with no one noticing. Well it's the same as anyother car when you see it all the time day and night. I wouldn't have thought a thing about it leaving. Let the police and the insurance companies do their jobs. Only then will you know what happen.

Posted by: Wesley Location: Whitesboro on Jan 16, 2008 at 12:16 PM
People should not assume there is something wrong or "fishy" with this story. Why does everyone want to believe there's bad in everyone. The owner is an area doctor and is very well respected in this area.

Posted by: TO:Me on Jan 16, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Me: You are wrong... 'Someone' DOES know the truth.... it's just a matter of time. It didn't crawl into the lake 30 miles away from home all on it's own... Someone knows. Might be those 'joyriders' but someone DOES know.

Posted by: From what I can tell... on Jan 16, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Looks like the ones who claim to know the 'victim' well are the ones who are calling bs...? Interesting. If it's on the 'up and up', he'll get his insurance check and all will be fine.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Sherman on Jan 16, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Close to Victim, so why didn't the police go and look for it, I believe that is the first place I would look makes no sense at all something is really fishy just not right

Posted by: Me Location: Sherman on Jan 16, 2008 at 09:22 AM
You people are crazy. Do you not have anything else to do besides putting these people down? STOP assuming what happened! You do not know the whole truth. NO ONE does! Good job otherpottsboro! Tell em! Sissy- Do u really know that? PLEASE!

Posted by: Damon Location: Sheboygan Wis. on Jan 16, 2008 at 08:45 AM
I wonder if ya need a hummer stamp to fish for hummer's??? Any one know were ya could get that mounted???

Posted by: Mork Location: Ork on Jan 15, 2008 at 10:08 PM
So Mary Winkler shot her preacher husband? What in the world does she have to do with this story? Any woman that shoots her husband sounds like a good christian woman (OMG!!) I guess "was" is the key word, aye Thelma. Off topic by a mile.

Posted by: Close to Victim Location: P town on Jan 15, 2008 at 08:22 PM
People! The hummer was kept in a building that was not open all the time. Most people have jobs around here and aren't home during the day. The police had the report 10 day before the hummer was found. If the news media doesn't choose to run the story there is nothing the owner can do. I do hope nothing like this happens to you because there are so many judgemental jerks in the world.

Posted by: Mom Location: TX on Jan 15, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Mary Winkler was the preacher's wife who shot her husband.

Posted by: Thea Location: Houston on Jan 15, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Is that the Hummer that came up missing last year?

Posted by: Sue Location: Alameda, CA on Jan 15, 2008 at 05:25 PM
WOW - what a job! First, for the person to steal it, then put it in a lake unnoticed, but THEN, for someone to find it, after so many ran into, just above, next yo it; or, thought it just a sunken boat. (Wouldn't they want to report it, as the person whose it was should be entitled to know as their boat/vehicle may have been stolen. My husband and I have owned a limousine business for nearly 15 years, and we have one 14=psgr stretch hummer. Those are not very common, and would be easy to spot and/or hard to drive into a lake. Bows me away.

Posted by: Thelma Location: Sherman on Jan 15, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Winkler is the pastor's wife that shot her husband because he abused her. She was a good christian woman that had enough of him! But she doesn't pertain to this story, it was just a comparison to show that good people do things that are unethical.

Posted by: Rosemary Location: CT on Jan 15, 2008 at 03:58 PM
The writer of this story isn't very eloquent either. Take some writing classes!!

Posted by: Mork Location: Ork on Jan 15, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Who's Mary Winkler? Henry Winkler's sister? Mikhiel, what's this about a human body? I think you're on the wrong thread dude. I think the reality is they saw that commercial where the Hummer drove off the pier & went under water. So they figured they try it out & see what happened. Can't water ski behind a Hummer and it doesn't make a very good submarine! LOL!

Posted by: TO: D in Denison on Jan 15, 2008 at 02:46 PM
D: Stop reading the comments. They are full of opinions, get over it. This is the place set aside for readers to do this.

Posted by: other pottsboro Location: pottsboro on Jan 15, 2008 at 02:43 PM
to Pottsboro - why would you think it is okay to discuss where the victims live ? why would you think it is okay to give out such information over the internet .. oh so sorry forgot "everybody" in pottsboro knows everybodys else's business and feels free to talk about it with authority because they know someone who claims to be friends with person they are gossiping about. Unless you actually have facts to support what you are accussing these people of you should keep your mouth shut and hope something like this never happens to you. How easy in today's world would it be for any of us to become fodder for internet speculation and humiliation, and how easy for you all to hide behind false names and spew your accusations. Shame on you...

Posted by: Anonymous Location: bells on Jan 15, 2008 at 02:43 PM
I feel sorry for them. Was this their only income?

Posted by: Ina Location: Post Falls,Idaho on Jan 15, 2008 at 02:26 PM
WoW what catch atale to your grandkids

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 15, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Louise, what are you saying about a golf cart? I missed something.

Posted by: English-speaking Location: Tx on Jan 15, 2008 at 02:18 PM
I know how the Hummer got there! Someone's parking skills matched their elocution skills!

Posted by: DAVE Location: Illinois on Jan 15, 2008 at 02:13 PM
SCAM

Posted by: Dave Location: Illinois on Jan 15, 2008 at 02:12 PM
SCAM

Posted by: Julie Location: Toronto on Jan 15, 2008 at 01:58 PM
I haven't seen a story so badly written in a long time. I believe the sum of education of the people involved in this story plus the journalist amounts to appoximately a fifth grade education.

Posted by: D Location: Denison on Jan 15, 2008 at 01:53 PM
You announce it to the police, which is what was obviously done since they have been working the case. I'm not trying to be naive and say that the owner is innocent, but it is not our place to judge.

Posted by: sissy Location: sherman on Jan 15, 2008 at 01:47 PM
ME location sherman,you get a life,if it walks like a duck and quacks like one than its a duck.quack,quack.the owner either paid someone or he hisself drove the hummer in the lake

Posted by: CB Location: Houston on Jan 15, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Can anyone say "insurance fraud"?

Posted by: Tell Us on Jan 15, 2008 at 12:44 PM
ME- If you know the 'whole story' go on and tell us so we can stop assuming what we see to be 'the obvious'.

Posted by: myself Location: pottsboro on Jan 15, 2008 at 12:23 PM
something like this would be the work of the people that owned it. they have done fishy things before..doesnt surprise me. how exactly does a hummer limo go missing?

Posted by: Thelma Location: Sherman on Jan 15, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Mary Winkler was a good person too but she did a very bad thing....So GET A LIFE!

Posted by: bubba redneck Location: sherman on Jan 15, 2008 at 11:49 AM
by looking at the video it sure doesn't look like it had been underwater for very long looks more like a couple of days not weeks....

Posted by: GLADYS Location: SHERMAN on Jan 15, 2008 at 10:28 AM
HEY IF IT WAS STOLEN AND YOU WANT IT BACK YOU ANNOUNCE IT TO THE WORLD, HOPING SOMEONE WILL SEE IT BEFORE IT GETS TO THE CHOP SHOP. BUT IF YOU ALREADY KNOW ITS IN THE LAKE, KEEP IT QUIET AND JUST WAIT ON THE INS. CHECK .HMMMMMMM !!!!!!

Posted by: Me Location: Sherman on Jan 15, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Come on now people.... you do not know the whole story so why start accusing someone??? Get a life. These people are good people that own the Hummer. Like I said GET A LIFE!!!!

Posted by: Louise Location: TX on Jan 15, 2008 at 09:49 AM
What's the chances of something like this happening TWICE in your lifetime? That's a terrible stroke of bad luck...

Posted by: Boo Location: Sherman on Jan 15, 2008 at 08:08 AM
Ok.... so seeing as that my origianl post was ommitted... How about telling us when KXII reported on the original missing vehicle report? Or DID they??? But they will report on a missing dog?!?!?!!?

Posted by: amber Location: bonham on Jan 14, 2008 at 10:13 PM
the truth will come out.. sooner or later..hopefully first news channel 12 will be there to let us know the ending of this fishy limo in the water

Posted by: Louise Location: TX on Jan 14, 2008 at 07:55 PM
Isn't Juniper Point the part of the lake near Whitesboro off Hwy 377? I think I've been out that way before.. Actually, I went to look at a golf cart out there at this place called..... ohhhh....wait a minute.....

Posted by: kelly on Jan 14, 2008 at 07:07 PM
how is it noone misses a limo hummer till it is fished out of the lake..i bet nothing is done to the rich ole boy who is trying to pull off this insurance scam..if some good ole boy was to try it he would get the book thrown at him

Posted by: DooDoo head Location: sherman on Jan 14, 2008 at 06:54 PM
I believe it. By the way, I lost a tooth today. Guess who's coming to my house tonight!!!

Posted by: Thelma Location: Sherman on Jan 14, 2008 at 05:41 PM
So yea, they snuck in the back, opened up the shop backed out a very huge and not very common vehicle, drove it through a neighborhood that should be pretty familiar with this person/vehicle, dumped it into Lake Texoma at the boat launch and noone saw this happen.....Uh, ok.

Posted by: WHAT? on Jan 14, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Who said anything about a 'human body', Mikhail? We're talking about a vehicle here.....

Posted by: Mikhail Location: Kokomo, IN on Jan 14, 2008 at 03:22 PM
"Good place for a Hummer - at the bottom of a lake. What a waist of money." Nice, what a waste of a perfectly good human body.

Posted by: Pottsboro Resident Location: Pottsboro on Jan 14, 2008 at 02:48 PM
I know where this hummer limo is stored...in a shop, in the back yard of the owner. In order for someone to steal this thing, they would have to pull up from behind the house, go beside the house down the driveway with it, then out on Ginger. WHAT A FISH STORY!!!!!! I live in Pottsboro, watch the news nightly and this is the first I have heard of the hummer missing.

Posted by: Boo Location: Sherman on Jan 14, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Ok... so it's been missing for just a couple of weeks. Shouldn't it have maybe been in the news?? Like maybe on this website?? Maybe??? Has anyone gone over to the other local news website and seen like 3 times the reports? More coverage on area happenings? What the heck are the reporters at KXII doing?

Posted by: Thelma Location: Sherman on Jan 14, 2008 at 02:33 PM
So were they sure to pay a launching fee when they decided to dump, I mean launch that there?? Seems a little suspicious to me.

Posted by: tx Location: texas on Jan 14, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Big time joy riders.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 14, 2008 at 01:13 PM
SOUNDS LIKE A HOUSTON ASTRODOME STORY TO ME. INSURANCE COMPANIES SURELY HAVE WISED UP BY NOW!!!

Posted by: bs Location: TX on Jan 14, 2008 at 01:00 PM
It was missing for just a couple weeks.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Sherman on Jan 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I will have to agree with Chris insurance that is all it is, but no one will ever know the real truth

Posted by: fish Location: oklahoma on Jan 14, 2008 at 11:15 AM
sounds like someone might be stretching the truth. except this one didn't get away how long has the hummer been missing

Posted by: Bobba Location: Bells on Jan 14, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Easy chris, that's how rumors get started.. bet it was some upstanding teens in the community ;0)

Posted by: Bigfoot Location: oklahoma on Jan 14, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Sounds fishy

Posted by: Mork Location: Ork on Jan 14, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Good place for a Hummer - at the bottom of a lake. What a waist of money.

Posted by: JC Location: Denison on Jan 14, 2008 at 09:26 AM
It seems as if the TV stations here want to interview and quote the least eloquent people available.

Posted by: Chris Location: Oklahoma on Jan 14, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Sounds like it wasn't stolen after all. dumped for Insurance sounds more like it.

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