by Sheriff Jeremy Shipley

 

Perhaps it was the hot weather, but last week kept members of the Freestone County Sheriff’s Department rather busy, according to reports from Sheriff Jeremy Shipley on their social media page. Here are a few of those stories:

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On 7-12-2021, around 6pm, a 911 emergency call was received by Freestone County Dispatch of a theft in progress in the Streetman area.

The caller stated he witnessed the theft of a trailer and was following the suspect vehicle, a white Toyota SUV pulling stolen trailer, occupied by 3 males, headed north on I-45. The caller was transferred to Navarro County to get law enforcement units to assist and possibly intercept the suspects.

A short time later, a DPS Trooper observed the white SUV traveling at a high rate of speed in the Richland area, but it was no longer pulling the stolen trailer. The Trooper attempted to stop the SUV, but the SUV fled onto a county road where the suspects bailed out of the vehicle.

Two of the suspects fled on foot and one suspect surrendered at that time and was taken into custody. The stolen trailer was found abandoned in front of the Navarro County Rest Area and was recovered.

Sgt. Investigator Cordova and Deputy Leatherman responded to the area to assist with the search of the remaining two suspects on the ground. The search for the two remaining suspects included a drone and TDCJ horses and dogs. One suspect was apprehended around midnight. Unfortunately, the third suspect was not located. Both suspects that were apprehended were from the Dallas Area. These suspects will face charges from both Freestone and Navarro County.

Great teamwork by the good guys tonight. Thank you to Navarro County LEO’s, DPS, TDCJ, and Constable McGowan for their great assistance.

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On 7-14-2021, Freestone County Dispatch received a missing person report regarding a 72-year-old male who was a resident of the Dallas area who was supposed to be in the area of CR 275, in Freestone County, checking his property, but no one had been able to contact him for hours. The subject’s truck was located at the property, but he was not. Due to poor cell service in that area, Deputies were unable to ping the cell phone. Friends, family, and medical facilities were contact to no avail.

Deputies then requested Fairfield and Teague Volunteer Fire Departments to aid in the search using infrared/thermal drones.

Thanks to the thorough work of all involved, we were able to find the subject lying in a thick wooded area with minor injuries and was a little dehydrated.

Great teamwork by our LEO’s and VFD’s.

Great job by FCSO Deputy Weinmann and Deputy Campbell.

We would also like to thank Texas Parks and Wildlife, TDCJ, and Texas Search and Rescue for being requested or on standby. Fortunately, our missing person was located prior to their arrival, but they stood ready to assist.

Oh…and by the way…this all took place in the dark of night. They did good.

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On the evening of 7-15-2021, Sgt. Investigator Cordova, Patrol Sgt. Martin, and Deputy Campbell were dispatched to a structure fire on North FM 80. During the investigation it was determined the fire was intentionally started by a male subject while a female was inside the structure and she was injured while attempting to get out of the structure. The male subject was taken into custody and charged with Arson Causing bodily Injury or Death (1st degree felony).

The next day investigators from the State Fire Marshall’s Office arrived and processed the scene for evidence to assist our office.

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On 7-18-2021, FCSO Deputies and DPS were dispatched to I-45 North bound regarding a reckless driver who was swerving in and out of traffic and had made contact with multiple vehicles.

To cut a few miles off this story, the incidents started being reported at mile marker 155 in Leon County and came to an end at mile marker 201 in freestone County as FCSO and DPS boxed the subject in.

Male subject was found to be intoxicated and was placed under arrest for several charges by DPS and placed under arrest by FCSO for DWI 2nd Offense.

Good work by the good guys before someone was seriously hurt or worse.

Well-orchestrated maneuvering on the interstate by Deputies Leatherman and Lt. Willis to prevent further incidents with surrounding traffic, and a quick approach by Trooper Macmillan to gain apprehension of the subject from the driver’s seat while the vehicle was still in drive.