AUTO BATTERY SUSPECT CONFESSES

  

Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak says 39-year old  Martin Luther Hightower has admitted to having stolen property in his possession after his arrest early Saturday morning.

Hightower was arrested one mile east of FM 1155, near Chappell Hill when Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Peschel found him in a U-Haul van.  Witnesses told Brenham police they saw a man loading at least 43 auto batteries from the Brenham Wal-Mart automotive department in the van and drove off.

When Deputy Peschel found Hightower and the van.  The deputies searched the van and found all 43 batteries. . He arrested Hightower at the scene.

Sgt, Duane Houston and Deputies Brad Kulow and Joel Chavez assisted in the arrest.

Hightower remains in the Washington County Jail on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, burglary of a building and driving while license invalid.  His total bond is $20,750.

Sheriff Hanak credits the quick actions and forward thinking of Deputy Peschel in the recovery of the