Local law enforcement agencies were kept busy on Monday as one man took officers on a foot chase in the morning while another barricaded himself in a house in the evening.
Early Police Chief David Mercer submitted the following reports on the separate incidents.
–At 11:20 am Monday, Early Police officer Johnny Brown and Sgt Shawn Dibrell received information regarding the location of a wanted felon identified as 26-year-old Luke Hopkins. Hopkins was reported to be at a residence in Brownwood.
Officer Brown and Sgt Dibrell contacted deputy Carlise Gover with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office and officers with Brownwood Police Dept. While officers were on their way to the south side of Brownwood, Officer Brown spotted Hopkins as a passenger in a vehicle. The vehicle fled from Officer Brown for several blocks and Hopkins jumped from the passenger side of the vehicle and ran on foot. Officers chased Hopkins on foot for several blocks when Hopkins ran into a house in the 1700 block of 10th street. Officers gathered up and made entry into the house.
While searching the house, Hopkins exited a window on the second story, but was soon confronted by officers. Hopkins jumped over the officers going into a neighboring yard and then ran on foot again. Officers then continued with a foot pursuit for several blocks when Hopkins was cornered on Coggin Ave. between 10th and 11th street by a DPS trooper and Brownwood Police Department Officers. Police then located the vehicle Hopkins ran from and identified the driver as Lorenzo White who was wanted by the parole office.
Hopkins was arrested and charged with evading arrest in addition to a parole violation.
— At 7:30 pm on Monday, Officer Keith Varner received a call that a man forced his way into a residence on Garman Drive in Early and took an 11 month old child. Upon Officer Varner’s arrival, he met with the mother of the child and learned that her estranged husband, 28-year-old Joshua Hashbarger, forced his way in to the trailer, took the child from the baby bed, and fled on foot. The 15 year old step son of the baby’s mother ran after Hashbarger and tried to stop him. Hashbarger then shoved the 15 year old away and continued on foot.
Officer Varner and Sgt. Jimmy Simpson went to the residence on Yucca Tree circle where Hashbarger was believed to be. They made contact with Hashbarger who refused to open the door and barricaded himself in the residence with the baby. Officers negotiated with him for about 30 minutes when Hashbarger eventually opened the door and gave the child back but refused to come out. After negotiating with police for a short time, Hashbarger finally surrendered.
Hashburger was charged with burglary of habitation, assault family violence and endangering a child. The investigation is continuing and more charges could be filed.
