In the early morning of June 7, 2024, Austin County Sheriff’s deputies encountered a group of armed men attempting to steal a truck on Tiemann Road. A pursuit ensued, leading to a crash on New Bremen Road, but the suspects were able to evade capture. The Austin County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to secure their vehicles and report any suspicious activity immediately.
Travis Gilliam was arrested by Bellville PD and Austin County SO for multiple outstanding warrants, including assault and burglary charges stemming from recent break-ins at local businesses. Gilliam, apprehended during a joint operation, faces charges ranging from Assault Family Violence to Burglary of a Building, following incidents at Brookshire Brothers Pharmacy and the Texaco Food Court. The arrest follows public assistance sought by Bellville PD, leading to Gilliam’s identification and subsequent booking into Austin County Jail.
In the aftermath of the severe storm that hit Austin County, residents are urged to report any damage sustained through two essential platforms: the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s iSTAT Damage Survey and the local Austin County Office of Emergency Management’s Veoci Damage Reporting Form. By providing accurate information and documenting the extent of damage, residents help to facilitate efficient disaster response as well as state aid and in securing vital resources for recovery efforts, ensuring a swift and effective rebuilding process for the community. Your help in reporting storm damage is really important for Austin County as we work together to bounce back from this tough situation and stay strong in the face of challenges.
Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office seeks public assistance in identifying a young white male, believed to be the victim of a 1978 homicide. Found near FM 521, the unidentified individual’s DNA samples have been entered into the national missing person’s database, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward. Sheriff Eric Fagan stresses the importance of community cooperation in providing closure to this decades-old case and bringing peace to the victim’s family.
Austin and Colorado County authorities teamed up to recover stolen property and arrest a suspect in a joint operation on April 24, 2024. Quincy Kyle JANSZEN was apprehended at the scene, where deputies found two recently stolen vehicles and items from local burglaries. JANSZEN may face theft and burglary charges in Austin County, along with burglary and possession of stolen property charges in Colorado County.
Joseph Mesa, 35, of Sealy, was arrested by the Austin County Sheriff’s Office for Aggravated Robbery and Deadly Conduct after reports of him waving a firearm and shooting at vehicles. Mesa, who was out on bond for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, failed to appear in court on April 9, prompting authorities to revoke his bond. The Sealy Police Department also charged Mesa with Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Attempted Murder, and Interference with an Emergency Call, with bonds totaling $750,000.00.
The Austin County Regional Special Response Team, in collaboration with the Westside (HIDTA) Narcotics Task Force, executed arrest and search warrants in Brookshire, Texas, resulting in the arrest of two individuals. The operation, part of an ongoing narcotics investigation, led to the seizure of cocaine, firearms, and currency from the residence. The defendants face charges related to drug possession and firearm offenses.
Darryl Glenn Phillips, 62, was found guilty of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon by an Austin County Jury for cutting a man’s throat in Industry, Texas. Eyewitnesses testified to seeing Phillips commit the crime, leading to a life sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice without parole until 2053.