POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE REGARDING THE PURSUIT THAT ENDED ON FM-287...
Polk County, TX — July 22, 2025 – A high-speed pursuit that began on Highway 59 south of Livingston in Polk County concluded with the arrest of three suspects after their stolen pickup truck crashed near the Tyler County line.
The incident began earlier in the day when law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle, which was later confirmed to be stolen out of Harris County. The suspects fled northbound, leading Polk County deputies through Corrigan and then eastbound onto Highway 287.
Approximately one mile from the Tyler County line, the vehicle lost control and crashed near Caney Creek. All three male suspects fled the vehicle on foot, disappearing into a nearby wooded area.
A swift and coordinated response from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Tyler County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), led to the rapid apprehension of two suspects shortly after the crash.
Later that afternoon, Tyler County deputies located and arrested the third suspect. All three were transported to the Polk County Jail and now face multiple charges related to the pursuit and the stolen vehicle.
“This is a strong example of what can be accomplished when agencies work together,” said Sheriff Byron Lyons, of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. “Thanks to their combined efforts, we were able to quickly bring a dangerous situation to a close without further risk to the community.”
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ORIGINAL STORY BELOW
Yesterday's Pursuit Story, CHESTER, July 23, 2025 - Shortly before 7 am on July 22, 2025, a pursuit entered Polk County via the Trinity River Bridge. The pursuit (suspects driving stolen vehicle) continued all the way to Corrigan and, according to radio traffic, the suspects were allegedly ditching things from the window. The vehicle pursuit came to an end on FM-287 East when the suspect vehicle blew a tire. The suspects ditched the vehicle off 287 near Chester and fled on foot. A manhunt immediately ensued with horseback mounted police, and the use of hound dogs. Two of the men, Joel Reyes Garcia, 20, of Houston, and Josue Alexander Valenzuela-Garcia, 21, of Houston were caught within an hour by Polk County Sheriff's Office. The third suspect, Jaime Sanchez, 24, of Houston, was caught later in the evening by Tyler County Sheriff's Office in the Town of Chester. All three have been booked into Polk County Jail.
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