A Cleveland man, Jerry Allen Long, 40, was arrested by deputies with the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office on Monday after reportedly leading them on a chase on FM 945 North that ended when he crashed through fencing and gates, and then attempted to elude them on foot.
Around 5:20 p.m. Monday, the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Dispatch Center received a call regarding a man trespassing in the 2800 block of Hines Lake Road, near the new Camp Strake, a Boy Scouts camp under construction near Evergreen. The information dispatch received said that a gray truck and a white van were at the location of a ‘hunting camp’ and those vehicles should not be there. Two sheriff’s patrol units responded.
At about 5:43 p.m., Sgt. Lareesa Koen, with partner Deputy Jennifer Ramirez, located a gray truck pulling a trailer with a four-wheeler and a riding lawnmower on board. She reportedly attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the truck and the truck fled at a high rate of speed out toward FM 945 North.
“Due to dusty road conditions, Sergeant Koen lost sight of the truck. As Deputy David Brinkley was arriving, he observed the truck enter onto FM 945 North and initiated pursuit of the truck,” said Capt. Joe Schultea Jr., spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
In about the 6900 block of FM 945 North, the truck exited into an open pasture, after crashing through fencing and gates, and attempted to elude Deputy Brinkley, driving through several fields and into the woods, Schultea said.
Brinkley continued to follow the suspect until he drove into a guardrail along FM 945 North at a creek. The suspect reportedly bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot into the woods. Other units arrived and established a perimeter around the area where the suspect was last seen.
“Deputy Bryan Pfluger, who had entered the woods at the creek, found the suspect hiding in the brush and was able to take the suspect into custody without incident,” Schultea said.
The four-wheeler and lawnmower were recovered and returned to owners, he said. Power tools and other items located in the truck are being held pending identification of the owners.
Long is charged with Evading Arrest. Other charges for Theft and Criminal Mischief, both felonies, are pending.