GCSO, Fayette County search for truck thieves following pursuit

Gonzales County and Fayette County sheriff’s deputies are searching for an unknown number of occupants who fled the scene after crashing a stolen pickup truck in a wooden area following a pursuit Tuesday, March 21.

At about 11:25 p.m. Tuesday, a Fayette County Sheriff’s sergeant initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 10 westbound near Flatonia of a 2017 silver Ford F-250 pickup that apparently bore a license plate belonging to a different vehicle that is white in color. That’s because the vehicle had a fictitious plate and had been stolen out of Brazoria County.

The vehicle did stop, but as the officer approached the truck, it sped off down I-10 and a pursuit began. Gonzales County Sheriff’s dispatchers were notified about the chase as it was coming into Gonzales County. The pickup then exited I-10 at Exit 653 and turned eastbound on US Highway 90, continuing along county roads until it entered a gate on a property off County Road 420.
The truck crashed into a tree in a wooded area and an unknown number of subjects jumped out and fled on foot. GCSO deputies responded to the scene and began a search but were unable to locate the individuals. It is believed the vehicle, which was recovered, was being used for human smuggling and the passengers were undocumented aliens.

Deputies do not believe the subjects were armed or dangerous, but asked residents in the area of County Road 420 to be on the lookout for anyone suspicious and to contact GCSO at 830-672-6524.