Chase suspect manages to elude police despite massive search

A chase suspect is still on the loose after escaping from West University police.

  WEST UNIVERSITY, TX (KTRK) -- A massive overnight police search in Bellaire started with a traffic stop in West University Place.

Police dogs went door-to-door in neighborhoods around Newcastle and Larch, looking for a driver who bailed out and ran away.

West University police pursued the driver from the original traffic stop to where he bailed out of his car on Bissonnet and Avenue B. He then hopped a fence near Newcastle.

Despite that yard-to-yard search, the suspect was not found before a downpour of rain forced officers to cancel the search after only an hour.
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Neighborhood on lockdown in search for illegal immigrants

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A neighborhood in north Houston is on lockdown as police search for illegal immigrants.

Police tell us they were looking for a vehicle involved in a robbery when they spotted an a pickup truck driving suspiciously around East Tidwell near Bauman.

Officers ran the plates and say the truck came back as stolen. Investigators say when they tried to pull the pickup over several people got out and started running away.

Authorities say they are not sure exactly how many were inside but tell us they do have 11 suspects in custody.

We are gathering more information and we will update you on Eyewitness News and abc13.com as additional details become available.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Police search for clues in case of missing mom

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's a heart-wrenching time for friends and family of a woman who hasn't been seen in nearly a week. Investigators are combing for clues and her loved ones are desperate for answers.

Police investigators spent part of the day on Thursday inside Michelle Warner's southwest Houston apartment, searching for clues into the disappearance of the 31-year-old mother of two.

As the minutes and hours tick by, Michelle's friends and family grow more anxious.

"We miss her," said Scott Russell. "I'm worried sick."

Russell is one of the last people to see Michelle alive. Friday night the two had dinner, then he returned her home, where he left her with her three-year-old son and the child's father.

"I stayed for about a half hour, then left," Russell said. "Everything was fine. She was her regular old normal self."

No one has heard from Michelle since Saturday. Her phone goes to voicemail. She didn't show up to her new paralegal job this week.

"I placed her at her current position two weeks ago and was notified Monday she had not shown up for work," said job recruiter Becky Barclay.

Michelle's relatives say she and her child's father got into a heated argument Saturday. He told the family that Michelle got her purse and phone and just walked away, leaving behind three-year-old Cayden. But her friends say that doesn't sound like her at all.

"If she had a way to be home, she would," said friend Stefanie Helton. "There's no way she'd leave her son."

The child's father, who also lives at the apartment, told police he's in Odessa with their son. Police say he is cooperating and has been questioned extensively.

In the meantime, Michelle's friends are distributing fliers, hoping anyone with info on her whereabouts comes forward.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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DA: Paramedic in possession of child porn was found in bed with a boy during a search warrant

Chaise Michael Green, 28, is charged with three counts of possession of child pornography.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local firefighter and paramedic is accused of possessing images and videos of child porn.

On September 26, the Harris County Pct. 4 Constables Office say they executed a search warrant at a Spring area residence in reference to an investigation involving the alleged possession and possible distribution of child pornography.

During the search of the residence, investigators say a male identified as Chaise Michael Green was found in bed with a prepubescent male child.

Investigators say they discovered multiple images and videos of child pornography on Green's personal laptop computer and storage device.

Court documents state Green had recently worked as a fireman and was employed as an Emergency Medical Technician with a local ambulance company.

Green, 28, is charged with three counts of possession of child pornography. Bond has been set at $60,000 total.

Authorities say they are interviewing the boy found in bed with Green and further charges may be filed against Green.

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Body found during search for missing woman

CHANNELVIEW, TX (KTRK) -- A search effort in the Channelview area has ended after the body of a woman's was found right under the missing woman's trailer home. Rosemarie Hutcheson hasn't been seen since Friday night. Now authorities are working to confirm whether the body found Tuesday is in fact her.

Two volunteers with Texas Equuseach found the body of a woman underneath the trailer where Rosemarie lived with her husband and her daughter. The 52-year-old went missing around 6:30pm Friday. A family friend told Eyewitness News she had gone to a shed in the yard, and her husband had gone around to the other side of the house. By the time he reached the shed, Rosemarie was gone.

Texas Equusearch has been looking for her for the past two days, mainly in the densely wooded area behind the trailer park. On Tuesday afternoon they began retracing their steps, focusing on the back side of the trailer.

"One of the things that we noticed is that if you look at the skirting on the trailer, how straight it is and everything," said Tim Miller with Equusearch. "That one corner, you could tell the skirting wasn't like the rest of the skirting. That was another indication that for one reason or another, the skirting didn't look the same."

The searchers who found the body said it appeared it had been there for a few days. Investigators did not find any signs of foul play and suspect it might be a case of suicide.

Earlier, the Harris County Sheriff's Office told us Rosemarie had been suffering from depression.

Authorities have taken a DNA swab from Rosemarie's husband.

The identity of the body has not yet been confirmed.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Coast Guard suspends search for 6 people believed missing in the Gulf of Mexico off Galveston

  GALVESTON, TX -- Six people are missing in the Gulf of Mexico after they abandoned their sinking fishing boat in the waters off Galveston, Texas, the Coast Guard said Monday.

The Coast Guard had been searching for them ever since the boat's captain sent a mayday call Sunday afternoon, saying the vessel was sinking and that the six people onboard were planning to escape in an orange life raft, said Coast Guard command center controller Elvie Damaso. However, around 6pm Monday, the Coast Guard suspended its search for the day. It says it will and said it will continue sending out the radio broadcast for ships in the area to be on the lookout for them and then decide whether to resume actively searching for them on Tuesday.

Eyewitness News received a copy of the distress call:

"We have an onboard emergency. We are taking on water sir," the unidentified boat captain told the Coast Guard.

Damaso says authorities are not sure if the boat is called Scallywag or Skylark because the quality of the line was poor.

Coast Guard officials need the public's help in trying to work out who was on the boat and where it came from, Petty officer Richard Brahm said.

"We weren't able to get it from the captain before the boat went down," Brahm said.

Damaso said at least three boats, a helicopter, a plane and two cutters are involved in the search for the missing fishermen in a stretch of water roughly the size of Delaware. The boat went down somewhere off the coast of Galveston, about 50 miles southeast of Houston.

"All my electronics are down and I couldn't give you an exact location," the boat's captain said in the distress call. Brahm said authorities couldn't be more specific about where to search for the boat because the distress call was received by several communication towers.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Search to resume for 6 reported missing in Gulf of Mexico off Galveston

  GALVESTON, TX -- The Coast Guard planned to resume its search for six people reported missing in the Gulf of Mexico after a mayday radio call said they were abandoning their sinking fishing boat in the waters off Galveston, Texas.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Richard Brahm said plans were to resume the search Tuesday morning. That's after.an extensive daylong Coast Guard search Monday turned up no sign of the six.

The boat's captain sent a mayday call Sunday afternoon saying the vessel was sinking and that the six people onboard were planning to escape in an orange life raft.

Brahm said no reports were received by telephone or other sources to confirm a vessel was overdue or that any of six people were missing.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Authorities end search for man who jumped

  GALVESTON, TX -- Authorities have called off a search in and around the Port of Galveston after being unable to find a Lebanese crewman who disappeared after jumping from a ship.

According to officials, 36-year-old Ahmad Faras jumped from the Heidi Plus on Friday morning (http://bit.ly/M59uCh).

Workers aboard the Beirut-registered ship, docked at a pier in the harbor, were scheduled to load cattle Monday for transport to Turkey.

Port spokeswoman Cristina Galego told The Associated Press that it was not believed to be a suicide attempt, and it was highly probable that Faras made it to shore. She said local and federal officials are still investigating the case.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Lockdown lifted at four Klein ISD schools; search continues for murder suspect

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Four Klein ISD schools were put on lockdown Wednesday afternoon as authorities searched for an armed murder suspect.

The lockdown was in effect for about two hours and was finally lifted shortly after 4pm, Klein ISD says. The schools affected were Klein High School, Klein Annex, Kleb Intermediate and Mittelstadt Elementary.

The Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office says the search for the murder suspect, who was believed to have a gun, began near York Minster and Wimbledon Estates after investigators say a tip led them to the area. The suspect was spotted getting into a vehicle. A Precinct 4 deputy constable tried to stop him and that's when the suspect got out of the vehicle and fled on foot.

The suspect, Zumbotha Newsome, is wanted in connection with a fatal road rage case from April 15 in northwest Houston. That crime happened in the area of 34th Street and Bella Vista.

Newsome, 36, is described as a black male about 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, with a scar on his forehead. He also sports tattoos on his left and right arms. Newsome also goes by the alias Michael Ray Bunn.

"We're asking anybody if they've seen anybody about 5'9", 200 pounds, black male wearing black T-shirt and black shorts to go ahead and either call Crime Stoppers or call 911," said Alfredo Perez with the U.S. Marshals.

Perez says Newsome is considered armed and dangerous.

Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest on this developing story.

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Search ends for missing League City man

Scott Guseman is described as a white male, 6 feet tall, weighing 200 pounds with blue eyes and dirty blond hair.

  LEAGUE CITY, TX (KTRK) -- The League City Police Department said the search for a man reported missing has ended.

The League City Police Department has closed the missing person case involving Scott Guseman. Police say Guseman, 51, was located Thursday evening around 5:15pm. He is alive, unharmed and no foul play was involved in his disappearance.

Guseman was originally reported missing on April 23 after he did not show up for work. He was last seen on that day by his family around 7:30 in the morning and surveillance video revealed that Guseman's debit card was used at an ATM in Kemah about 9am the same morning.

After first reports there was concern that Guseman's disappearance may have possibly involved dangerous circumstances. That suspicion was ruled out on April 25 and the League City Police Department scaled back their search efforts. A relative of Mr. Guseman notified police today that he has been located.

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Search for missing Liberty Co. man called off; authorities are now calling it a criminal matter

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The search for a a missing Liberty County man has suddenly been called off and authorities are calling it a criminal matter.

Dennis Rogers was last heard from on last Thursday. He called 911 saying he had gotten lost in a wooded area near his home. Rogers is 54 but has the mental capacity of a 9-year-old child because of a brain injury.

Rex Evans with the Liberty Co. Sheriff's Office says an undisclosed person contacted them and indicted that something criminal may have happened to Rogers. He says search and rescue efforts were suspended Tuesday to allow detectives to pursue the criminal investigation and to interview possible persons of interest.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Liberty County Sheriff's Office at 936-336-4500.

We'll bring you any new developments as they happen.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Search for Montrose area burglar who uses doggie doors

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A burglar squeezing into a doggie door to get his loot was caught on a hidden camera. And this isn't the first time it's happened in one local neighborhood.

It's happened at least twice in the past few weeks around West Gray and Montrose. But one has now been caught on camera.

Unfortunately, it wasn't Dolly the dog using the door designed just for her on Wednesday, rather a man with ulterior motives.

"He put his arms through here, and pushed the other part of the doggie door through and basically just knocked it out," said Ruth Woody.

She still can't believe a burglar squeezed through the doggie door in her Montrose home. But the security cameras captured it all -- the man going in and then leaving with a pillow case stuffed with an iPad, a camera, and jewelry.

"I wouldn't have thought you can easily do that," said Jennie Beech.

And it has happened before. Just down the street at Beech's home, which was also burglarized through the doggie door last month.

"He came in through the doggie door, and pretended nobody was there, and grabbed easy to grab items, like laptops and an iPad," Beech said.

A police report has been filed, but the homeowners are also active on the internet, posting the security images on social media sites like Flickr and Facebook. The idea is that the more people see it, the better chance the bad guys can get caught.

"The pictures were remarkable, and we're hoping one by one we can pick these guys off and make us feel less safe and uncomfortable," said Viula Torgerson, "Heights Life" blogger.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Police search for suspects in game room robbery

Houston police are searching for a group of robbers who hit a southwest Houston game room early Friday morning

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police are searching for a group of robbers who hit a southwest Houston game room early Friday morning.

It happened at the Post Oak Game Room on South Post Oak near West Orem around 8:30am. According to the security guard, the men walked into the business, pushing him to the ground while pointing guns at everyone inside. The guard says they handcuffed him and stole his gun, then robbed everyone inside.

As the robbers ran out the door, a customer uncuffed the guard, who grabbed a shotgun and fired at them.

"We already know who they are because they've robbed other game rooms before and we got pictures of them, so we know who they are. That's the same truck that has robbed other game rooms," the security guard told Eyewitness News.

The suspects took off in a black Chevy Silverado. The guard says the SUV's back window has been shot out and he believes he might have hit one of the gunmen.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Search for local murder suspect ends in Bahamas

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The search for a man accused in the shooting death of the mother of his children ended Sunday.

Noel Sosa-Ruiz had been on the run since the late-October tragedy at a southwest Houston dental office.

Officials say he traveled to Florida where he stole a boat then made his way to the Bahamas.

U.S. Coast Guard authorities say he shot himself as he was approached by officials.

Noel Sosa-Ruiz had been on the run from police for almost two weeks, and it all came to an end in a bizarre way with the USCG approaching him in the Atlantic Ocean.

USCG officials say they came in contact with the 41-year old murder suspect Friday morning when they got word that a boat with a single operator onboard appeared to be stranded near the Bahamas.

That's when a USCG helicopter dropped a radio, raft, food and de-watering pump for him.

Authorities say Sosa-Ruiz only took the radio and used the pump to re-fuel and take off.

More than seven hours later, authorities say he ran out of gas again. Good Samartians found him and alerted a USCG crew who discovered the boat had been stolen out of the Florida Keys.

As crews approached, he shot himself in the chest and died.

Sosa-Ruiz had been on the run since late last month when Houston Police Department investigators say he walked into a southwest Houston Smiley Dental Office and shot and killed Yodani Cruz-Rojas -- the mother of his two children.

The USCG is investigating this incident. HPD is also investigating.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Local search group sues Casey Anthony

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local search-and-rescue group has filed a civil lawsuit against Casey Anthony in an effort to recoup expenses in its search for Caylee Anthony.

Texas Equusearch filed the suit Tuesday in the 9th Judicial District Circuit in and for Orange County, Fla. -- Texas EquuSearch Mounted Search and Recovery v. Casey Anthony. [READ LAWSUIT] Equusearch says it used 4,200 volunteer searchers and spent $112,000 looking for Caylee Anthony in Florida. That includes phone lines, fuel cost, housing and more. "This is the money that really needed to go to families that need us," said Tim Miller of Equusearch. "While we were doing that search, we were so involved, we had several families that called in and really needed our help. And we had to turn them down." The group started to consider a lawsuit after testimony during the trial that the child was never missing. Casey Anthony was found not guilty July 5 on charges of murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child. She is now being sued by Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez. That was the name Casey Anthony used when she lied about a nanny kidnapping her little girl. Casey Anthony is scheduled to be released from jail on July 17. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Local search group considers suing Casey Anthony

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Casey Anthony may have been acquitted in the death of her own daughter, Caylee, but she could still face legal challenges, including from the local search-and-rescue group known as Texas Equusearch.

Anthony was found not guilty Tuesday on charges of murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child. She will be sentenced Thursday on the four misdemeanor lying charges, but she could be given credit for time served.

Texas Equusearch has worked hundreds of missing persons cases over the years. It never questions time or resources spent. But the Caylee Anthony case and the acquittal of her mother has the organization questioning whether to sue to recoup those search expenses.

Equusearch says it used 4,200 volunteer searchers and spent $112,000 looking for Caylee in Florida. That includes phone lines, fuel cost, housing and more.

In hindsight, Tim Miller believes based on trial testimony he heard that the child was never missing and now, Equusearch wants to be reimbursed.

"This is the money that really needed to go to families that need us," he said. "While we were doing that search, we were so involved, we had several families that called in and really needed our help. And we had to turn them down."

Miller says he's consulting with his attorneys on whether there's a basis for a lawsuit and whether or not there's any money to recoup from the Anthony family.

Casey Anthony is now being sued by Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez. That was the name Anthony used when she lied about a nanny kidnapping her little girl.

Barbara Walters spoke with defense attorney Jose Baez for his first network interview since the acquittal. You can check out that interview during tonight's Primetime Nightline special, "Casey Anthony: Not Guilty: Inside the Bombshell Verdict." That starts tonight at 9pm.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more National/World »

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Deputies search for men who killed teen

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A confrontation early Sunday ended with a teen shot to death, and deputies are still looking for the suspects.

It happened around 12:45am Sunday in the 15100 block of Woodforest near Terry Hollow in east Harris County.

The victim, who family members identified as 16-year-old Lionel Smith, and a friend had gone to an area convenience store and were walking back when they were approached by two or three men in a silver sedan.

According to Harris County Sheriff's Office investigators, two Latino men exited the vehicle and approached the victim and his friend.

Smith was shot along the side the roadway and he died at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing. Deputies do not know the motive for the shooting and no suspect information was available Sunday.

Smith was a junior at Channelview High School.

Anyone with information about this shooting is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS or HCSO at 713-967-5810.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Body found in search for missing swimmer

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A possible drowning is under investigation near Channelview. Emergency crews were called out to the popular Banana Bend beach around noon, where at least two high school students had decided to skip school and go for a swim. One of them is now missing, and may have drowned.

Around 3:30pm, a body was pulled from the water. We're told six to seven Milby High School students had apparently planned this weekend to skip school on Monday to go to Banana Bend on the San Jacinto River.

The students arrived around noon. Just a few minutes later, two students were in trouble. One of the students who went into the water afterwards spoke to Eyewitness News but didn't want to be identified.

He said, "A friend of mine started screaming that they were drowning. I ran off. I was the first one in the water. I got a chance to get my friend Luis out, but when I turned around to see if I could find (the other teen), I didn't see him no more. I was going to dive in to see if I could get him, but the people here were like, 'Nah, don't jump in, because what if the current takes you, too?'"

One of the teenagers was rescued without injury by boat. Sheriff's department search teams used sonar and grappling hooks to look for the missing student. The 17-year-old boy has not been identified.

The San Jacinto River is known for deep drop-offs and treacherous currents.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Extra crews search landfill for woman's body

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The search continues for a missing Conroe woman who is feared dead. Authorities are back out at a Montgomery County landfill searching for her remains.

The woman was reported missing more than a week ago. Her husband is now sitting in jail. He used to work at the landfill which is located between the towns of Security and Cut and Shoot.

More search crews and equipment have been brought in as police narrowed the search field at the landfill. We're told they're going nearly piece by piece through the trash as they search for the remains of Martha Jimenez, 44. Police believe she may have been dumped there by her husband.

Conroe police and crews from Texas Equusearch combing through the Security Landfill, where, according to Texas Equusearch, Martha's husband worked as a bulldozer operator.

Police say the mother was reported missing 11 days ago after leaving her job at a convenience store in Conroe and never returning home. Officers have been searching the landfill since Monday.

Police say Martha's husband, Luis Jimenez, 54, has been arrested. Authorities say information led them to believe there may have been foul play. Police add there was an unauthorized entry into the landfill Sunday morning and they believe it could have been Luis.

"We're wanting to move at a little faster pace today," explained Tim Miller with Texas Equusearch. "That's why we brought in more manpower and equipment. We know that time isn't on our side, so the quicker that she's found, the quicker they'll be able to determine the cause of death, hopefully, and move the investigation forward."

Luis Jimenez remains in the Montgomery County Jail. He's charged with tampering with evidence.

Texas Equusearch told us crews hope to recover Martha's body and give the family closure before the Easter holiday.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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Search underway for survivors in fiery crash

 Authorities are on the scene of a fiery crash in Missouri City. (Photo by: John Mizwa)

  MISSOURI CITY, TX (KTRK) -- There is a developing story from Missouri City, where a search is underway for survivors after a fiery crash off the South Beltway.

It happened just before 3am. Firefighters responded to a report of a smoke burning in a wooded area off the South Beltway at South Main.

We spotted some smoke billowing up from that wooded area on our Houston Transtar Jam Cams. It's believed a car flew off the freeway, flipped several times and caught fire. A later search by an HPD helicopter did not find anyone around the car.

It's not clear if anyone is still inside. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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