Latest news with #HoustonCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
AFFIDAVIT: Houston County murdered teen found dead in river, missing left hand
Graphic Warning: The following contains graphic content that some might find disturbing. Discretion is advised. HOUSTON COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — An affidavit from the Houston County Sheriff's Office sheds new details on the with his left hand missing in early May. Officials believe Michael Ortiz was killed on April 29 in the area of Mt. Olive Baptist Church on County Road 4020 in Crockett. During the investigation, an eyewitness told the Crockett Police Department that she saw Emmanuel 'Manny' Mata, two juveniles and Edgar Hernandez, including his 2012 Ford Mustang, at the Mt. Olive Church on the night of the murder. 'On the night of April 29, the witness states that once she heard his [2012 Ford Mustang] she left her residence and made her way to the church,' the affidavit said. 'Once she arrived at the church, she was met by the two minors and Mata. All three men stated that she needed to get out of there, and she didn't want to be part of what was going on.' The witness explained to police that she didn't hear anything while she was there, and once the men told her to leave, she turned around and went home. Longview police search for wanted 32-year-old man considered 'armed and dangerous' By May 2, an elected official notified the sheriff's office that a search for Ortiz had begun where family members believed he had been killed. 'In [the elected official's] statement, he got to the bridge crossing a creek nearby and shined his light on the banks of the creek. [The official] stated that after searching the banks with his light, he observed what he thought was a body in the water, close to the bank,' the affidavit reads. Once officials arrived, they retrieved the body and confirmed it was Ortiz who had suffered extensive damage: 'Ortiz was missing his left hand and missing the majority of the skin on his left arm. Ortiz was also observed to have severe bruising to multiple areas of his entire body. Several severe lacerations were observed in the scalp.' The sheriff's office believes Ortiz had been assaulted with a metal pipe that was later found. 'While the deceased was being recovered, it was clear that Ortiz sustained major injuries from an assault.' An investigation into his murder then began, where officials found Ortiz's phone had pinged near the church. This led officials to believe there was a second crime scene. 'Suspected blood was observed and located at a storage building behind the Mt Olive Church on the entry door,' the affidavit said. 'Due to weather conditions from the time of the homicide, up to the time of the body being discovered, it had rained heavily, so there wasn't a lot of visible evidence.' According to the sheriff's office, investigators worked on May 3 and May 4 to interview potential persons of interest before they seized Hernandez's 2012 Ford Mustang on May 5. The following day, investigators seized two more vehicles they believe are connected to Ortiz's death. According to Hernandez, Ortiz went into his vehicle after being asked if he wanted to smoke, and they drove around Crockett, where they ended up at the church, where the blood was located at the door. 'Hernandez states that [redacted] hits Ortiz in the head with a gun and then Mata, [redacted], beat Ortiz with a metal pipe and their hands. Hernandez states that once Ortiz is no longer moving, the beating stops. Hernandez states that he hears Ortiz state he won't rob them anymore and begs them to stop. Hernandez states that the beating began in the building and ends up outside of the building. Once the beating is over, Michael is loaded into the back of the black truck.' Crockett man arrested after police chase ends in drug bust Hernandez, Mata and the two minors then head to the ditch where they dumped Ortiz's body, the affidavit said. 'Once Ortiz is in the ditch, everyone gets back into their vehicles they were in andleave,' the affidavit said. 'Hernandez states that he then drives his mustang to his RV and they discuss burning the bloody clothes.' According to the Houston County Sheriff's Office, Hernandez, Mata and the two minors were arrested for the murder of Ortiz. Hernandez and Mata are being held on a $2 million bond at a different location for their safety, and they continue to search for people suspected of being involved in Ortiz's death. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lawn equipment stolen from business in Polk County, officials say
POLK COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — Polk County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for information about lawn equipment that was stolen from a local business on State Highway 146 South early Wednesday. Houston County Sheriff's Office arrest suspects in connection to death of 16-year-old teen Deputies said two unknown suspects stole leaf blowers, weed eaters and hedge trimmers from the business' property. Officials believe the suspects were male and drove a white Dodge Durango. Tyler PD honors officer on 70th anniversary of line of duty death The Sheriff's Office is asking the public to contact them at 936-327-STOP for any information regarding the case. Those who call can choose to remain anonymous and may collect a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Arrests made in Houston County diesel theft ring
HOUSTON COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) — Seven people from around the country have been arrested in Houston County after authorities say they stole thousands of gallons of fuel from Wiregrass gas stations. On April 24, deputies with the Houston County Sheriff's Office responded to the Hobo Pantry gas station in the 700 block of Ross Clark Circle after receiving a report that over 350 gallons of diesel fuel had been stolen from the station. The fuel stolen was estimated at approximately $1,288. Deputies found that diesel fuel had been stolen from Hobo Pantry stores in Headland and Eufaula after receiving the call about the robbery on the Ross Clark Circle. Around 1,200 gallons of fuel had been stolen from the Headland location, worth $4,380. The Hobo Pantry in Eufaula had approximately 2,142 gallons stolen, valued at $7,818. According to the Houston County Sheriff's Office, it was discovered that the stolen fuel had been transported to a location outside of Atlanta, and a U-Haul trailer, a black Ford truck, and an orange Dodge Ram had transported the stolen fuel. During a press conference Wednesday morning, Sheriff Donald Valenza revealed that on Saturday, deputies found the black truck, the attached U-Hau, and the Dodge Ram at the Hobo Pantry on Ross Clark Circle, where the thefts occurred. Deputies took the occupants of the Ford into custody, but the Dodge Ram drove away. Later that day, the Dodge Ram was found at a home on Strathmore Avenue in Dothan, where four others were arrested, Sheriff Valenza said. A total of seven suspects were arrested and charged: Tamari Gooden, 26 years old, from Dacula, GA (TOP I – No Bond) Shawauna Gooden, 26 years old, from Dacula, GA (TOP I – No Bond) Jerek Davis, 27 years old, from Rex, GA (TOP I, RSP II – No Bond) Marlin Rucker, 26 years old from Atlanta, GA (TOP I – No Bond) Roderick Pearson, 22 years old from Stonecrest, GA (UPCS and POM II – $13,500) Florrane James, 30 years old from Baltimore, MD (Fugitive from Justice – No Bond) The sheriff says search warrants were obtained for several vehicles and a home in Dothan, and deputies found six large-capacity fuel tanks, three electric fuel pumps, illegal drugs, a head-held electronic access device, and three firearms, one of which was stolen from Georgia. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Crockett PD searching for individuals after stolen truck used in armed robbery
CROCKETT, Texas (KETK) — The Crockett Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying individuals involved in armed robbery while using a stolen truck. On Wednesday morning, the Crockett Police Department notified the public via a Facebook post that a 2020 Ram 3500 was stolen overnight from the 300 block of Cordell Street. SHERIFF: Longview doctor found dead just 2 days before sentencing hearing for sexual assault of child Shortly following the post, a deputy with the Houston County Sheriff's Office located the vehicle that had been abandoned in Grapeland on U.S. Highway 287 near the intersection of FM 227 in front of Grapeland Apartments. Courtesy of the Crockett Police Department After further investigation, detectives with the Crockett Police Department obtained information from the Grapeland Police Department that the stolen truck had been used in an armed robbery that occurred in the 1100 block of U.S. 287 in Grapeland, at the Ranch Express Convenience store. According to authorities, two individuals displayed handguns, stole the cash drawer and fled the scene in the stolen vehicle. The Crockett Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying those involved in the armed robbery and gathering further details on the stolen truck. Anyone with information can contact Detective Kerri Bell with CPD at 936-544-2021 or contact Lieutenant Bobby Bishop at 936-222-6583. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Deep East Texas Crime Stoppers by calling 936-639-TIPS or on their website at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Houston Co. man beat woman with hammer, tried to set her on fire, investigators say
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — A Houston County man is behind bars after investigators say he sexually assaulted, beat, and tried to set a woman on fire before getting in a standoff with deputies. On Friday, Houston County deputies rushed to the 700 block of WG Bond Road after receiving a call about a domestic assault. According to the Houston County Sheriff's Office, when deputies arrived, they found a victim near a wood line from her home, and the suspect in the assault, Franklin Brown Jr., was inside the house. The Houston County Special Response Team and negotiators arrived on the scene and attempted to make contact with Brown Jr., who did not respond. Deputies say that after a multi-hour standoff, Brown Jr. surrendered and was taken to the Houston County Jail. Sgt. Brandon Barnes with the Houston County Sheriff's Office said that after an investigation, it was discovered Brown Jr. had forced himself on her 'to receive a sexual act' and then beat the woman multiple times with his fist and a hammer. In a release to WDHN, Barnes revealed Brown Jr. then placed a pillow case over her head, tied her up using an extension cord, and poured Clorox on her body before attempting to set her on fire. The woman was able to free herself and ran from the home. She then called 911. Brown Jr. was charged with kidnapping in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, domestic violence, and assault in the second degree. Brown Jr. is being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond pending an Aniah's Law Heaing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
