Author: Houston Stringer

WHARTON, TEXAS, Feb. 8, 2024 - The Wharton Police Department announces that Waynard Austin, who was arrested at approximately 7:42 p.m. for seven felony warrants and possession of marijuana, has escaped custody while handcuffed. Despite an exhaustive search by law enforcement, Austin remains at large. He was last observed wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, and white shoes. Waynard Austin (WPD) The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any sightings of Austin to 911 or submit tips anonymously at www.p3tips.com. While Austin is currently considered a fugitive, the Wharton Police Department does not believe he poses a direct threat to public safety. However, the public is strongly advised against attempting to apprehend him. The police also remind the community that harborin...

Correction: Fire at CubeSmart Self Storage in Spring, Texas Not Yet Extinguished SPRING, TEXAS, Feb. 8, 2024 - Contrary to earlier reports, the fire at the CubeSmart Self Storage located at 765 Sawdust Road in Spring, Texas, has not been extinguished. The situation escalated to a five-alarm fire, prompting an extensive response from emergency services across Montgomery County and North Harris County. The firefighting effort includes participation from over 100 firefighters, supported by 9 ladder trucks and 22 engines. The coordinated response involves the South Montgomery County Fire Department, The Woodlands Fire Department, Spring Fire Department, and Timber Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, along with additional support from the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Eme...

HOUSTON, TEXAS, February 7, 2024 - Willie Issac Bernard Ewing, 33, faces charges of tampering with evidence-human corpse following the discovery of a female found deceased in a ditch at 13100 Halifax Street on January 11 at approximately 1:15 p.m. Ewing, whose November 2023 booking photo has been released, is currently hospitalized. Willie Issac Bernard Ewing (HPD) The victim has been identified as Sierra Hayes, 29. The manner and cause of her death are pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. Houston Police Department patrol officers found Hayes unresponsive in a ditch after responding to a report at the location. Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. Investigations led to the arrest of Ewing on Monday, February 5...

Atascocita - February 05, 2024, a deputy with Constable Mark Herman's Office observed a vehicle missing the back right tire traveling in the 18300 block of June Forest Dr. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Marco Altamirano Vasquez, who displayed multiple signs of intoxication. Due to his level of intoxication, he was unable to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. The deputy acquired a warrant for a blood specimen. "Marco Altemirano Velazquez was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail, charged with Driving While Intoxicated. His bond was set at $100.00 out of County Court 12."- Constable Mark Herman

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 6, 2024 - The FBI’s New Orleans Division is calling for public assistance to identify potential victims in the child sexual abuse investigation involving Stephen Andrew Cipkin. Cipkin has been charged with child sexual abuse and other related offenses in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Investigations have uncovered that Cipkin initiated an online child exploitation scheme starting in 2022, spanning Suffolk County, New York, and Northwest Louisiana. Cipkin, who also worked as a tutor in New York, used several online usernames, including “sac8635”, “ArabellaC”, “Human no-more”, “numb little bug”, “Swiffer1”, “@onlygoodguy”, and “Ur_Perfect_Daddy”. Stephen Andrew Cipkin (FBI) Individuals or guardians of minors who have had any interaction...

HOUSTON, TEXAS - February 6, 2024 - A suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal crash that occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on Monday, February 5, on the 10600 block of Katy Freeway (West Interstate Highway 10). The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Jorge Clemente, faces charges of intoxication manslaughter filed in the 230th State District Court. Jorge Clemente (HPD) The crash resulted in the death of a 34-year-old male, whose identity is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. According to the Houston Police Department (HPD) Vehicular Crimes Division, a witness reported that the driver of a red Dodge Durango, later identified as Clemente, was speeding in the left emergency lane and weaving through traffic. The Durango then c...

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, Feb. 6, 2024 - A Fort Worth Fire Department firefighter is in critical condition following an early morning accident involving a fire truck. The incident occurred at 2:34 a.m. near the intersection of Village Creek and Wilbarger, in proximity to the Eugene McCray Community Center. Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Fire Department Four firefighters were onboard the fire truck during the accident, all of whom were promptly transported to the hospital. Alongside the critically injured firefighter, one remains in stable condition, while the other two have been discharged. The fire truck was en route to a fire alarm assignment at a single-family home in the 4500 block of Pecos St. when the crash took place. The call was dispatched from Fire Station 3 at 2:29 a.m., and f...

BAYTOWN, TEXAS - February 4, 2024 - An aggravated robbery occurred on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at approximately 9:40 a.m. at a Subway restaurant located at 3600 Garth Rd. The suspect entered the establishment and brandished a black handgun, which he pulled from his waistband. The employee present at the time of the incident managed to escape to the restroom, where they locked themselves inside for safety. The suspect was described as wearing a black hoodie sweater, gray sweatpants, a red beanie with a black hat over it, black tennis shoes, and a single black glove on his left hand. The glove was presumably worn in an attempt to conceal identifiable tattoos. Following the robbery, the suspect took the cash register and was observed leaving the scene in a gray 4-door passenger car wi...

HOUSTON - A fatal hit-and-run crash occurred at 400 Parker Road at approximately 11:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, prompting an investigation by Houston police. The deceased has been identified as 38-year-old Raymond Martinez, who is pictured below. Raymond Martinez (Photo Courtesy of HPD) The incident happened when Martinez was crossing the street, not at a crosswalk, and was struck by an unknown vehicle. The driver involved did not stop to render aid and immediately fled the scene. Houston Fire Department paramedics declared Martinez deceased at the scene of the accident. The Houston Police Department is calling for anyone with information about the crash or the identity of the driver and vehicle to come forward. They can contact the HPD Hit and Run Unit at 713-247-4072 or prov...

February 5, 2024 - In Spring, Texas, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office District 2 Patrol Division arrested two suspects on February 2, 2024, for mail theft following a report of theft in progress around 11 p.m. at the 2300 Block of Legends Gate Drive. The report, made by a caller who observed the suspects stealing mail and fleeing in a Lincoln Town Car, prompted deputies to swiftly locate and stop the suspect vehicle. Upon conducting a traffic stop, 40-year-old Christopher McCaffrey and 33-year-old Maygain Leija, both from Houston, Texas, were identified as the suspects. A subsequent search of their vehicle uncovered mail from 19 different addresses in the surrounding area. Both McCaffrey and Leija were arrested and charged with felony theft of mail. They were booked into th...