Crime & Punishment
Man arrested on multiple charges
PALESTINE — A 28-year-old Grapeland man was arrested on multiple charges Wednesday night, including assaulting a peace officer, after he allegedly stole $200 from another individual at a roadside park.
Andre Jamarr Ash, 28, of Grapeland was charged with aggravated assault on a public servant and a pair of misdemeanor offenses following his arrest around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Loop 256 and Crockett Road in Palestine, according to authorities.
Ash was charged with assaulting a peace officer after he allegedly bit the finger of an Anderson County sheriff’s sergeant who was transporting him to a local hospital for a blood draw, according to Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor.
Ash also was charged with the misdemeanor offenses of DWI and theft between $50 and $500, according to the sheriff.
Around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, the sheriff said his agency was advised that a Cadillac operated by a man claiming that Ash had stolen $200 cash from him earlier in the day was pursuing a second Cadillac operated by the suspect into Palestine from Elkhart on U.S. 287.
Sheriff’s deputy Mike Calcote was the initial responding officer, while sheriff’s Sgt. Steven Whittmore also responded to the call, according to the sheriff.
The complainant advised authorities that Ash had stolen $200 from him at a roadside park outside of Elkhart around 5 p.m. Wednesday after he had inquired about purchasing stereo equipment from the suspect.
Following the alleged theft, the complainant told authorities he was standing outside an Elkhart residence when Ash drove up.
“They get in a confrontation and then Ash leaves” in his vehicle and the alleged victim pursues him into Palestine, making a complaint to authorities along the way, according to Taylor.
Whittmore ultimately got both vehicles stopped in a convenience store parking lot at the intersection of Loop 256 and Crockett Road, according to the sheriff.
Ash appeared to be intoxicated, and Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Lynn Hubert was summoned to the scene, according to Taylor.
“A use of force ensues when they take him into custody for the DWI,” Taylor said.
Whittmore subsequently transported Ash to Palestine Regional Medical Center for a blood draw to be taken as evidence in the suspected DWI, the sheriff stated.
“Another use of force ensues” outside the hospital, during which Ash allegedly bit “the right middle finger” of Whittmore, “causing pain and swelling,” Taylor said.
After initially consenting to the blood draw, the sheriff said Ash then refused and was transported to the Anderson County Jail where he remained as of late Thursday afternoon in lieu of bonds totaling $15,000 set by Anderson County Justice of the Peace James Todd.
Whittmore was treated and released at PRMC for his injury, the sheriff added.
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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
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