Two men were arrested for burglary and other charges in the Chicota community earlier this week after being confronted and chased by a citizen at the scene, crashing their vehicle, and then fleeing on foot before being apprehended by law enforcement, according to the sheriff’s office.
“The Lamar County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a homeowner in Northern Lamar County,” Lamar County Sheriff Scott Cass said. “The resident observed two male subjects pull into the driveway and then back up to a shop building. The homeowner watched as the driver of the vehicle entered into a shop building and when the suspect came out a relative of the homeowner confronted them in the driveway.”
The Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the homeowner while the relative tried to get the male suspects to stay at the residence until law enforcement could arrive. At this point, the suspects took off through the yard attempting to run over the relative with their vehicle, according to authorities.
The relative chased the suspects in his vehicle until the suspects lost control and crashed their vehicle in a ditch on FM 197 in the Chicota Community. Both male suspects fled on foot. The suspect driver identified as Horst Paul Klemptner ll walked back to the vehicle and was taken into custody by Sheriff Deputies and a Texas State Trooper who were responding to the scene.
However, the second suspect, identified as a Tony Lee Lindley, fled on foot toward the lake and was taken into custody a short time later near the Dam of Pat Mayse Lake by Sheriff Deputies.
“While deputies were taking Lindley into custody at the Dam, Klemptner managed to jump out of the patrol vehicle’s back window but was quickly taken back into custody,” the sheriff said.
Both Klemptner and Lindley were transported to the Lamar County Jail. Klemptner was charged with Burglary of a Building, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Escape. Lindley was charged with Burglary of a Building and an outstanding warrant out of Grayson County for felony theft charges. Both are awaiting arraignment.
“Both of these suspects are ‘persons of interest’ in ongoing burglary investigations currently by Sheriff CID Detectives and the Lamar County Constable’s Office Precinct 2,” Sheriff Cass said. “The Sheriff’s Office asks citizens to continue vigilance in their communities, and report any suspicious activity to their local law enforcement.”
Investigation is continuing and further charges are expected.