While following up on a crime that happened earlier in the week, Early Chief of Police David Mercer noticed a motorcycle excessively accelerating and became involved in a high speed motorcycle chase through Early and into Brownwood shortly after 10am Friday morning.
Mercer went Sears, located at 400 E. Commerce, to speak with store manager Jim Cooley on a follow-up on his investigation from a few days previous.
As Mercer was leaving the business, he noticed a motorcyclist take off quickly from a neighboring business. Mercer began pursuit due to his excessive acceleration qualifying as a traffic violation under racing statutes.
The driver, who was later identified 21-year-old Devin Blain Sisco of Bangs, took off quickly enough to cause his front tire to lift off of the pavement. Mercer said he knew at this time Sisco was not slowing down and was attempting to flee. The chase got up to speeds of 70-80mph; however Mercer was able to catch up with Sisco at the intersection of C. C. Woodson and E. Commerce until he began weaving the motorcycle through traffic, often driving on the stripes between cars in both lanes Mercer reported.
“Luckily everyone saw me and split to each side,” stated Mercer. “The light was green, thank goodness.”
The chase continued into Brownwood, where a Brown County Deputy was able to assist by blocking the intersection at W. Austin and W. Commerce with his patrol unit. It looked as if Sisco was going to turn and go down Belle Plain and then slid to turn and possibly try to go further on W. Commerce, when the BCSO unit was able to block him Mercer recounted.
“I was able to bump him from the rear, knocking the bike over,” said Mercer
The BCSO deputy then exited his patrol car, jumped onto Sisco and handcuffed him.
“Sisco admitted he ran because he had no driver’s license and no insurance, and etc.,” Mercer stated. “Fleeing is a State Jail felony.”
Brown County Jail records indicate that including today’s incident, Sisco has been arrested six times in Brown County within the last six years. Records indicate these arrests involved charges including No Drivers License, two Charges of Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility, two charges of Burglaries of a Vehicle, a warrant from Haltom City for Assault Causing Bodily Injury, and a warrant out of Johnson County for Criminal Mischief.
The BCSO deputy involved in the incident stated that when law enforcement is involved in any chase such as this, safety is most important.
“When we are in a chase, we don’t know who they are or why they are running. We are going to do what is necessary to keep everyone safe,” stated the deputy. “No one was hurt, that is what makes this the best kind of chase.”
Pictured above: Mercer makes arrangements for towing of the motorcycle with Russell Chelette of Brownwood Towing.
Intersection of W. Commerce & W. Austin. The location of the arrest can be seen where the motorcycle leaked fluid of some kind onto the asphalt.
Below: The motorcycle Sisco used to flee police during the chase.
