MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A suspect wanted for stealing items at a New Caney Target store led authorities on a high-speed chase on the Eastex Expressway that ended in a crash, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
A robbery in progress was first reported Wednesday afternoon at the Valley Ranch Target store, investigators said, adding that when Texas Department of Public Safety troopers attempted to stop the suspect a short time later, he sped off, leading to a pursuit.
Photos showed the aftermath of a chase crash on the Eastex Freeway that left the alleged target thief and the uninvolved driver hospitalized.
The chase followed the Eastex Expressway and ended near Deerbrook Mall in Humble, where the suspect struck a driver who was not involved in the chase, according to MCSO.
Investigators said that after the incident, the suspect attempted to flee the scene on foot, but was arrested and detained.
Tammy Martin was working at a nearby dentist’s office when she heard the accident and saw the scene.
“It was so shocking! Even the patients were saying, ‘There’s someone in the parking lot running from the cops!'” Martin said. “We saw it all out the window.”
MCSO said the suspect and the innocent driver were injured and taken to the hospital where their condition stabilized.
MCSO identified the suspect as 55-year-old Curtis Smith and said he had an outstanding felony warrant out of Walker County for robbery. Details of this memorandum were not immediately available.
Lt. Jesse Bollinger said MCSO was leading the investigation into the chase, and Texas DPS was investigating the incident.
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