Law enforcement searching for suspect who they say stole truck which later caught on fire

Published 4:48 pm Tuesday, October 8, 2024

A manhunt is underway in East Texas after law enforcement officials say a suspect stole a government truck. 

Around 9 a.m. Tuesday, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office got a report about a stolen mack dump truck from County Road 4211, Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said. Authorities learned the truck belonged to the county’s Precinct 4 Road and Bridge Department and was allegedly stolen from the side of the road while crews were working in the area, Dickson said.

Deputies responded and found the stolen truck on Mixon Road and Highway 110 in Smith County, near the Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department.

Dickson said the suspect failed to release the dump truck air brakes, which caused the tires to begin smoking and catch fire.

Law enforcement believes the suspect jumped from the truck as the brakes caught fire and ran on foot into the woods. 

Multiple agencies, with help from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice canine unit, have searched the area to try and find the suspect. 

As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, the suspect has not been found. 

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division will continue to investigate this matter. Anyone who has further information should contact the sheriff’s office at 903-683-2271 or email info@cocherokee.org.