Fugitive caught in Jasper
K-9 assists in arrest
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Jasper Police arrested a man who was wanted in Sabine County after a foot pursuit through an area neighborhood.

William Onis Mendez, 21, of Jasper, was arrested Monday, Aug. 20, on four active warrants from Sabine County for burglary of a habitation and theft.

According to police reports, Jasper Police officer Gary Pullen was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to Mendez' being spotted there. Mendez was heading down W. Houston Street at a high rate of speed and turned on Willow Drive. Pullen spotted Mendez' vehicle on Avenue D.

As Pullen attempted to turn back towards Avenue D, Mendez jumped out of his vehicle and ran through an apartment complex located in the 700 block of Avenue D. Jasper officer Garrett Foster and the K-9 unit were dispatched to the scene and Mendez' scent was tracked from Third Street

Mendez was found in some heavy brush and was ordered by Foster to come out of the brush. Several orders were given to Mendez to come out of the brush before Foster deployed the K-9, which engaged Mendez on his left leg near his knee.

Pullen handcuffed Mendez as Foster ordered the K-9 off of Mendez to prevent further injury to the suspect.

Mendez was treated by Stat-Care EMS on the scene and transported to Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital by Sgt. Sam Brister.

Mendez was later released back to Jasper Police.