Benjamin Frakes was taken into custody Tuesday at the Doghouse Poker Club
A man accused of killing his parents was arrested earlier this week while sitting at a poker table in Cypress, Texas. Authorities say 39-year-old Benjamin Frakes was taken into custody Tuesday at the Doghouse Poker Club, a popular card room located roughly 25 miles from central Houston.
The arrest came after a tip led Harris County deputies to the poker room, where they found Frakes playing in a live game. Officers moved in and arrested him without any trouble. According to officials, Frakes had several drugs on him, including cocaine, Xanax, and Oxycodone. They also reported finding two firearms inside his vehicle parked outside the club.
Police believe Frakes is responsible for a double homicide that occurred on May 15. Investigators say he broke into the home of his 72-year-old father, Franklin Frakes, and his 56-year-old stepmother, Fiorentina Frakes.
Both were found dead the following day after a neighbor became concerned and went to check on them. Authorities think the elder Frakes may have returned fire before he died, as Frakes appeared to have a minor gunshot wound when arrested.
Local residents expressed shock at the news, saying the neighborhood seemed calm and peaceful the night before the killings. One neighbor, Joshua Griffin, described seeing the couple watering their plants that evening and said nothing seemed unusual at the time.
Police also say the couple’s black Mercedes SUV was missing from the scene. Investigators believe Frakes fled in the vehicle after the shootings. He is now facing two counts of capital murder.
Frakes was transported to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for questioning. He remains in custody while the investigation continues. Authorities have not yet released details about a potential motive.
