A Plano detective noticed an increase in vehicle burglaries and mail thefts during the holidays. His investigation led him to uncover a murder-for-hire plot.
PLANO, Texas — A Plano police detective uncovered a murder-for-hire plot while investigating a string of vehicle and mail thefts during the holidays, the department said.
Michael McCloud, 38, of Plano, pleaded guilty to one count of murder-for-hire and was also arrested for multiple counts of theft and mail theft, Plano police said in a press release. The investigation was led by Detective C. McEntire, who first identified a pattern of vehicle burglaries and later identified and arrested McCloud after the suspect disclosed a murder-for-hire plot to the detective.
“Detective McEntire’s investigative insight, determination, and effective communication played a crucial role in preventing a capital murder,” the release states.
The investigation began in December 2023 when McEntire responded to a string of BMW burglaries and mail thefts in one area. The crimes were captured by home security cameras, which showed a male suspect stealing packages and attempting to break into vehicles, the release states. Because of the dramatic increase in incidents during the holidays, McEntire theorized the suspect was visiting relatives when he committed the crimes.
In January 2024, a fingerprint linked the crimes to a potential suspect who previously lived in Plano, later identified as McCloud. The owner of a neighborhood restaurant identified the suspect from a photo and said he recently moved back to Plano to live with his parents, the release states. McEntire later encountered the suspect at the same restaurant and started a conversation.
During their conversation, McCloud said he needed a firearm silencer to “take care of his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend,” according to the release. McEntire said he might know someone who could help McCloud kill his girlfriend and the suspect gave the detective his contact information.
McEntire connected the suspect with an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent who connected with the suspect, the release states. A search and arrest warrant was executed in February 2024 and McCloud was later attributed to at least six vehicle burglaries and mail theft.
On Feb. 10, McCloud pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of murder for hire, the release states.
