Suspect who shot at police officer captured

SEALY, TX (KTRK) -- A massive manhunt is over for a man accused of opening fire on a Sealy police officer. It all started with a traffic stop in Sealy just after 3:30am and ended hours later, at a Super 8 Motel in Wharton.

Whether on horseback, or by car, law enforcement officers from around Sealy spent all morning searching for Travis Bluntson before he was finally located in a Wharton area motel where surveillance video shows he was arrested without fanfare.

DPS Trooper Erik Burse said, "He was held up in a Super 8 Motel in Wharton, Texas. When they burst in on the room, he gave up, no resistance at all."

But what ended peacefully certainly didn't begin that way. Just after 3:30am, law enforcement tried to stop Bluntson for speeding. Instead, he allegedly fired shots at the officer, hitting his patrol car. Nearby, business operators took cover.

Travel stop worker Charles Strozier said, "Simple traffic stop, the guy started shooting at the cop that stopped him. They ordered her to lock this place down."

Bluntson had already crashed the car he was driving. Authorities speculate he most likely got a ride to Wharton. They said it was good investigating and modern technology that led them to the Super 8 Motel.

"I think we might have used some electronics, as far as what that person may have had as a cell phone or a computer or something like that, which we can always go back and find out where you're at," Trooper Burse explained.

Bluntson will face charges of attempted capital murder of a police officer and neighbors say they're relieved he's caught.

Those who live in the area said they were afraid for their safety during the manhunt. The officer who was shot at suffered only minor injuries.

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

sealy, local, miya shay

View the original article here

Aggravated robbery captured on surveillance video

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Your help is needed to catch a man behind an aggravated robbery at a northwest Harris County gas station last month.

It happened on December 21 at around 2:20am. A single suspect entered the gas station in the 7000 block of West FM 1960. Once inside, he approached the counter brandishing a gun.

Investigators say the suspect demanded cash and gave the employee five seconds to give him the money in the register.

The store clerk complied, and then before leaving, the suspect also demanded for a pack of cigarettes before taking off on foot.

The suspect is described as an African-American male, approximately 25 years old. He stands 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8 and weighs between 175 and 180 pounds. He has a think beard and sideburns.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspectis asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477). You'll be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000 and will remain anonymous.

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

local
// perform JavaScript after the document is scriptable.OTV.common.modules.promoCarousel.promoCarouselInit("/ktrk/xml?id=5758258&ptnr=promoCarousel");

View the original article here

Walker County jail fugitive captured in SW Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Investigators have arrested a man who escaped from the Walker County Jail on Tuesday. Trent Archie was finally found here in Houston, and now his mother is in custody, as well.

Under personal escort from the Walker County sheriff Friday, Archie walked slowly back to jail, clearly telling us why he escaped.

"Trent, why did you escape?" we asked.

"I'm not getting a fair trial here in court," he said.

"That's why you decided to run?"

"Yes ma'am," he answered.

Archie escaped from Walker County Jail in Huntsville early Tuesday morning. Authorities say it was a tip that led to Archie being found at a Houston home in the Sharpstown area Thursday night.

Archie was found unarmed and taken into custody after a brief foot chase. Police believe Archie knew someone at the house, but no other arrests were made there.

"He claimed he could hear the search helicopter and the neighborhood dogs barking and, of course, being paranoid under the circumstances, he fled out the rear door," said Walker County Sheriff Clint McRae.

LaToya Wright was arrested this week. She's believed to have helped Archie escape and stashing a getaway car for him.

But it was another arrest at the steps of the jail that took us by surprise.

"Jackie, what's happening? Did you help him?" we asked Archie's mother, Jackie Archie.

"No," she answered.

"Why specifically is the charge?"

"Hindering apprehension," said one of the arresting deputies.

Jackie Archie, say authorities, is accused of helping her son by not providing information that could have led to his arrest. She told us Friday she didn't know where her son was, but did have a message for him.

"I love him and I have his back," she said. "I will do anything possible to make sure he gets legal representation."

The sheriff's office tells us they're reviewing policy after the way Archie escaped. He reportedly was using the phone when he overpowered a guard and got away. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

huntsville, local, cynthia cisneros

View the original article here

Restaurant robbery captured on surveillance video

View the original article here