.gif)
COLUMBUS – On March 28 at approximately 5:27 p.m., the Columbus Police Department responded to a theft that occurred at Potter’s Western Store.
On arrival, the Columbus Police said they broadcasted a suspect vehicle description and Colorado County Sheriff’s Deputies were able to locate the vehicle on U.S. 90 near Radio Lane traveling west.
Police said they attempted to stop the vehicle which resulted in a pursuit that went through the cities of Weimar, Schulenburg, and eventually ended in Flatonia after successfully deploying spikes by the Flatonia Police Department. Police said the driver and two other adult occupants were taken into custody. According to a release, it was unknown at the time of the pursuit that there was an unrestrained child in the vehicle.
Police said the stolen property from Potter’s Western Store was recovered, along with the discovery of a pair of boots that had recently been stolen from the Tractor Supply Company in Alleyton. Police said the property was returned to both businesses. It was also determined that the same group of individuals had recently walked out of Blake’s without paying for their meal, according to a release.
Police said after further investigation, the driver, Heath Allen Dorris, 39 of Livingston, was arrested for evading arrest or detention with vehicle, third degree felony, abandoning or endangering a child, state jail felony, theft of property with previous convictions, state jail felony, and outstanding warrants issued in Chambers County for continuous family violence, and family violence assault impeding breath/circulation.
According to a release, two of the passengers, Marlene Kaye Mitcham, 35 of Waller, was arrested for outstanding warrants issued in Brazos County for assault on EMS personnel, and criminal mischief, $2,500 to $30,000. Gigit Nicole Fregia, 38 of Saratoga, was arrested for outstanding warrants issued in Liberty County for possession of controlled substance, driving while license invalid, and violate promise to appear. Fregia was also charged by the Columbus Police Department in connection with the theft of property from Potter’s Western Store.
The child was later released to the grandmother and Children’s Protective Services was notified of the incident, according to release.
The Colorado County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the pursuit by the Weimar Police Department, Schulenburg Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Flatonia Police Department, and Fayette County EMS.
According to a release, the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office and the Columbus Police Department are conducting a joint investigation into the criminal activity involving these individuals, which occurred both inside the city and out in the county.
