Derrit Washington
Reginald Hale
Oak Ridge North, Texas (Montgomery County Monitor) – While on a traffic stop early Friday afternoon, Oak Ridge police officer, Dean Straight, took notice of a passing vehicle. The vehicle appeared to match the description of a car involved in the burglary of motor vehicles in the Oak Ridge area the previous day. As the suspect vehicle traveled northbound on the feeder road, Straight maneuvered to get a closer look.Confident the passing vehicle deserved more scrutiny, Straight quickly wrapped up the traffic stop and began following the suspect vehicle.
According to Oak Ridge Police Chief, Andy Walters, Straight followed the vehicle into the parking lot of the Red Robin restaurant. At this time of day, the parking lot was filled with cars for the lunch-hour rush.
En route to the suspect vehicle’s location, Straight called for backup and received a response from a Shenandoah officer.
Straight entered the parking lot and located the suspect vehicle at the north end next to a dark colored SUV. One of the suspects was standing next to the SUV, peering into the window, with a screwdriver in his hand.
Straight quickly used his patrol vehicle to block the suspect vehicle. Straight then exited his vehicle and drew his gun on both suspects. The suspect looking into the SUV dropped the screwdriver when he saw Straight approaching.
Straight placed one suspect in handcuffs while keeping the other suspect in the car at gunpoint until backup arrived.
Walters said, Oak Ridge officers were on high alert today, searching for suspicious vehicles and persons who fit the descriptions they had gathered from witnesses.
A search of this vehicle and the two suspects revealed property which was reported stolen Thursday. Other items recovered from the vehicle were reported stolen in Harris County including a .45 caliber handgun.
Both men were handcuffed and taken to the Oak Ridge Police Department for processing.
Derrit Wayne Washington, 30, and Reginald Wayne Hale, 20, both from Houston, were charged with Burglary of a Vehicle.
