THREE LEE CO. BURGLARY SUSPECTS WITH POSSIBLE TIES TO WASHINGTON CO. BURGLARIES ARRESTED
(Lee Co. Jail)
Three men who are suspected of committing a series of home burglaries in Lee County – and are potentially connected to burglaries in Washington County – were arrested this (Friday) morning after an armed confrontation with law enforcement and a pursuit.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office says it received a 911 call around 5:15 a.m. from an out-of-town property owner who reported his security camera showing three subjects on his property on County Road 127 near FM 180. Deputies responded to where they could observe the entrance to the property, and about 30 minutes later observed the suspects driving an ATV taken from the property.
Deputies attempted to detain the individuals, at which time the suspects pointed a weapon at them. This led to one of the deputies firing at the suspects, who fled the scene in a red passenger car.
A short pursuit ensued before the vehicle came to a stop with a flat right front tire. Two of the suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot, while the other was arrested at the disabled vehicle. After responding agencies set up a perimeter, the other two were later apprehended.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office says several homes in the area were found to have been broken into. In addition, a firearm that was seized was discovered to have been stolen from Washington County. According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the firearm was taken from a burglary that occurred in the county, while several other firearms were located during the investigation.
(Lee Co. Jail)
The suspects were identified as 28-year-old Gregory Chatman II, 25-year-old Desnick Chatman and 19-year-old Lucius Byrd, all of Navasota. All three are being charged with three counts of Burglary of a Habitation-Enhanced for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, two counts of Burglary of a Building and one count of Theft of a Firearm. Additionally, Desnick Chatman will be charged with Evading Arrest or Detention with a Vehicle and Byrd will be charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says it will continue working with their counterparts in Lee County to determine if the same suspects are linked to multiple Washington County burglaries that have occurred during the past few weeks.
(Mugshot for Desnick Chatman pending from Lee Co. Sheriff's Office)