By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
A call from a concerned citizen regarding a suspicious vehicle in their Tarkington neighborhood led to a man’s arrest Friday afternoon around 1 p.m.
According to Pct. 5 Constable David Hunter, a Tarkington resident noticed the vehicle as it left the driveway of a neighbor’s house on CR 2276. Knowing the vehicle was not one normally seen at that address, the resident alerted law enforcement and began following the vehicle.
“The guy was wearing black gloves and looking real suspicious. When he realized he was being followed, he turned into another driveway and tried to get away from the tipster,” Hunter said.
As he was patrolling the area, Hunter made his way to the location where the vehicle had last been seen. As he drove along CR 2276, Hunter encountered the vehicle coming his way. It is described as an older model convertible with a ragtop roof and painted dark gray with primer paint.
“He gave me a deer-in-the-headlights look. I know for a fact he doesn’t live where he was seen. I began following him and he ran a stop sign and hauled butt,” the constable said. “I turned around and chased him down after he whipped into another driveway, which turned out to be a deadend. He tried to bail out of the vehicle and get away, but I was right on him.”
The brief pursuit ended on CR 2296, also known as Old Tarkington School Road. The man was arrested and placed in Hunter’s patrol vehicle. Once in custody, it was determined the man had a blue warrant for his arrest.
“A blue warrant means he is going back to jail or prison for whatever crime he previously committed,” Hunter said. “He claimed he was not trying to burglarize any houses but he had black gloves and tools that could be used for a burglary.”
According to Hunter, the man also did not have a driver’s license or insurance, and the vehicle had only a paper tag. His name is not being released at this time as additional charges have not been filed.
“Without a doubt, I felt he was going to hit that house but the dogs and the home’s security system scared him off,” Hunter said. “That’s when the neighbor saw him.”
The constable believes the tipster stopped the man before any burglaries were committed Friday.
“Everybody is being vigilant and watching out for each other. With citizens’ tips and us working together, I am confident we can clean up the crime in our community,” Hunter said.