Thursday, March 28, 2024 Mar 28, 2024
73° F Dallas, TX
Advertisement
Publications

THE MYSTERY OF BILL TANNEBRING

By Jerry Rollins |

CRIME Classy. That’s the way many people recall Bill Tannebring, the Dallas TV producer who turned out such gems as the famous BLACKIE SHERROD spot that showed the veteran sports scribe typing his way across town to his new home at The Dallas Morning News.

Not so classy-and alll but inexplicable- is the fact that Tannebring, 52, a man with no previous criminal record, recently landed in a Los Angeles County jail cell, charged with, literally, highway robbery.

Tannebring was accused of pulling at least nine robberies by flashing a phony police I.D., directing drivers to pull over, then robbing them, netting some $2,300. Besides three loaded handguns found in Tannebring’s car, police found several law enforcement I.D.s in his home.

But a lineup failed to identify him, and Tannebring was released on Thanksgiving with all charges dropped.

According to Los Angeles Sheriffs detective Basil North, possession of loaded handguns in a vehicle is a misdemeanor, but Tannebring has already spent more time in jail than a sentence on that charge wouldrequire.

A police badge and I.D., reportedly stolen from the Dallas Police Department, were found on Tannebring and returned to Dallas police. As far as the other I.D.s are concerned, Detective North says, their possession is not illegal unless actually used without authorization.

As for Tannebring, who moved to California in 1988 to be near his estranged wife and two children, his Laguna Beach telephone has been disconnected. Perhaps he’s gone somewhere to ponder this identity crisis.

Related Articles

Image
Arts & Entertainment

Here’s Who Is Coming to Dallas This Weekend: March 28-31

It's going to be a gorgeous weekend. Pencil in some live music in between those egg hunts and brunches.
Image
Arts & Entertainment

Arlington Museum of Art Debuts Two Must-See Nature-Inspired Additions

The chill of the Arctic Circle and a futuristic digital archive mark the grand opening of the Arlington Museum of Art’s new location.
By Brett Grega
Image
Arts & Entertainment

An Award-Winning SXSW Short Gave a Dallas Filmmaker an Outlet for Her Grief

Sara Nimeh balances humor and poignancy in a coming-of-age drama inspired by her childhood memories.
By Todd Jorgenson
Advertisement