Wednesday 5:45 PM Update: Brown County Sheriff’s Captain Vance Hill reports that the suspect in the high speed pursuit Tuesday night was taken into custody by Comanche County Sheriff’s Office today, Wednesday, March 11th.
The driver, identified as Chris Barnes of the Gorman area, was arrested shortly after 5:00 p.m. on Brown County warrants for possession of a controlled substance over 4 grams with intent to deliver, evading arrest and tampering with evidence, according to Hill. Barnes will be transported by BCSO to the Brown County Jail Thursday morning, said Hill.
Original Story: Brown County Sheriff’s deputies were involved in a high speed pursuit Tuesday which led to the ongoing search of a male suspect near Gorman in Comanche County.
BSCO Investigators Gover and Ramirez attempted a traffic stop on a two-door Mitsubishi sports car at Early Boulevard and 183 N., according to BCSO Captain Vance Hill. As Ramirez activated his overhead lights, the suspect fled from officers. The suspect was seen throwing a plastic baggie from the driver’s window near the intersection of County Road 382, Hill said.
Deputy Ronnie Bowman joined the pursuit near the Brownwood Regional Airport as they continued north on Hwy 183N into Eastland County and then into Comanche County through Gorman.
Ramirez and officers from Early Police Department returned to the area where the baggie was thrown out of the vehicle and found approximately 7 g of methamphetamine, Hill said. Bowman continued the pursuit at speeds over 100 mph, according to Hill.
The suspect eventually was able to abandon the vehicle and fled on foot in a rural area of Comanche County. A DPS helicopter was called into assist in the search but was unable to locate the suspect. An inventory of the suspect vehicle located an additional 0.5 gram of methamphetamine, Hill said.
Brown County Sheriff’s office was assisted by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officers and sheriff’s deputies from Comanche and Eastland Counties.
Hill stated that the incident was a well orchestrated effort on law enforcements’ part.
“I want to commend all officers involved and especially dispatcher Kim Chandler for doing an outstanding job during the pursuit,” said Hill. “Two other dispatchers also helped, Jim Hicks and Kerry Parsons. Ronnie Bowman did a very good job.” Hill went on to state that he was very thankful that no one was injured in the pursuit.
According to Hill, Comanche County is still looking for the suspect who has been reported to have been seen at one or more residences in the area “trying to get a ride.”
Hill stated that BCSO is in the process of obtaining three felony warrants for the suspect. Although the suspect’s name was not released, Hill stated that the suspect was identified and that BSCO is very familiar with him. The suspect was described as a white male in his mid 30s who is from the area where the pursuit ended.
