Authorities still searching for suspect at-large

by Alexandria Randolph

Multiple law enforcement agencies are still searching for a man suspected of stealing a pickup truck and committing vehicular assault against the Sunrise Beach Police Chief on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Llano County Sheriff Bill Blackburn said Sheriff’s Deputies as well as Texas DPS Troopers, Sunrise Beach Police and Texas Rangers have been searching for the man for the last 24 hours, and continue to search.

It all started on Sunday morning just after 9 a.m., the Sheriff said, when a black, two-door pickup truck was reported stolen from the Speedy Stop convenience store in Kingsland.

Sunrise Beach Police Chief Laurie Brock, spotted a vehicle of the same description on RR 2233 at 9:45 a.m.

“She stopped him and was getting out of her car and he backed into her car door,” Blackburn said. “She sustained cuts and bruises.”

The suspect took off, and authorities began the search.

“We’ve been looking since it occurred,” Blackburn said, and added that authorities have identified the suspect, and will release the identity later today.

“We found the truck on CR 316 30 to 45 minutes after the incident,” he said. “He’s on foot as far as we know.”

Blackburn said the suspect could be anywhere in the general area. Authorities have used a private plane, a DPS helicopter and canine units to locate the suspect, and have thus far been unsuccessful.

For an updated story, see Tuesday's Highlander.