PALESTINE —
Two people were arrested on multiple charges and authorities continue to seek a third suspect following a 15-mile pursuit ending east of Elkhart Thursday afternoon.
Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said a 2001 Dodge pickup operated by 37-year-old Ricky Eugene Johnson of Palestine was halted near the intersection of FM 1817 and FM 2419, east of Elkhart, after Texas Department of Public Safety troopers had placed spikes across the roadway.
Johnson was arrested on charges of evading arrest with a motor vehicle; possession of a controlled substance less than 1 gram; possession of a dangerous drug; evading arrest/detention; and a handful of misdemeanor and other charges, according to the sheriff.
Johnson also had a felony warrant for his arrest on the charge of engaging in organized criminal activity, according to the sheriff.
A passenger in the vehicle, Judy Coshanna Minter, 39, of Elkhart also was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance less than 1 gram and possession of a dangerous drug, according to Taylor.
As of late Friday afternoon, authorities continued to seek a 36-year-old unidentified male subject who successfully eluded officers after the truck came to a halt.
Taylor said officers Ryan Tolliver and Lee Duren were working surveillance inside the Palestine city limits in an area of suspected criminal activity Thursday afternoon.
Around 3:50 p.m. Thursday, the officers observed a maroon 2001 Dodge pickup, which had just left the suspected area, fail “to signal intent” to turn on South Loop 256 near Old Elkhart Road, according to Taylor.
“They attempted to stop him there at the loop and Old Elkhart (Road),” Taylor said. “It (the truck) took off.”
After turning onto Crockett Road and traveling through several neighborhoods, the truck continued eastbound on Park Avenue where it ran a red light at the intersection of U.S. 84 and South Loop 256, according to Taylor.
Four troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety joined the pursuit, in addition to Palestine City Marshal Mark Harcrow and a handful of units from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, according to the sheriff.
The pursuit ended at the intersection of FM 1817 and FM 2419 after DPS troopers had placed spikes across the roadway, according to Taylor.
Johnson and Minter were taken into custody near the disabled vehicle, while the third suspect was able to flee officers on foot and remained at large as of late Friday afternoon, according to the sheriff.
“They (officers) found some narcotics in the vehicle — some cocaine and some illegal prescription drugs,” Taylor said.
The sheriff said Johnson also will ultimately be charged with “at least 41 counts” of endangering a child after narrowly avoiding a pair of school buses during the pursuit.
“I appreciate the DPS for their swift assistance in this matter,” Taylor said, “and helping us get this chase resolved quickly.”
As of late Friday afternoon, Johnson remained in the Anderson County Jail in lieu of bonds totaling more than $425,000, while Minter remained there in lieu of bonds totaling $20,000, according to records.
Taylor said Johnson was released from federal prison approximately two months ago.
“We took a very dangerous individual off the street,” the sheriff stated. “He’s never been rehabilitated. Maybe he’ll go away for a lot longer this time.”
Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
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Two jailed after chase; third suspect sought
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