An early morning pursuit that began in Hunt County ended in Lamar County after a multi-agency effort involving spike strips, drones, and K-9 units successfully tracked down two suspects who tried to escape on foot.
Around 5 a.m. on Aug. 21, the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Commerce Police Department, who reported that police were in pursuit of a vehicle about to enter Lamar County on Highway 24.
“Lamar County Deputies responded to the area, where they deployed spike strips to stop the suspect vehicle,” said LCSO. “The deployment was successful, and the vehicle came to a stop in a ditch on the west side of the highway, roughly in the 2900 block of Highway 24.”
Two suspects, later identified as 51-year-old Jaqueline Garza and 34-year-old Brian Shores, fled on foot into a wooded area on the west side of the road.
Shores was quickly taken into custody after a brief search, but deputies and Commerce Police officers were unable to locate Garza.
As additional agencies arrived to assist, a call was made to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice K-9 unit in Bonham to help search for Garza.
Meanwhile, Lamar County Deputies and Lamar County Emergency Management deployed drones.
Out of caution, Chisum ISD was contacted and placed on lockdown until the suspects could be apprehended.
Once the K-9 unit arrived, tracking dogs supervised by TDCJ personnel were released into the wooded area.
Garza was quickly located in a creek bed, hiding under a tree.
Garza and Shores were then transported back to Hunt County by Commerce PD officers, where they will be booked into the Hunt County Jail. Commerce PD will file all charges.
“This incident was handled quickly and professionally by all agencies involved. Two offenders who endangered the public were taken off the streets and placed in jail. I want to thank my Deputies, Paris Police, Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers, Texas Department of Criminal Justice Division K-9 unit, Lamar County Constables from Precincts 2 and 4, and Lamar County Emergency Management for their assistance.”
