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December 1, 2018 - Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies have amassed on State Highway 7 in Center at the intersection of FM 2788 where they have blocked off all access in and out of that area since around 4:30pm Saturday.
An individual is within a house near Melton’s car lot, and is apparently not complying with officers.
Law enforcement agencies have been scouring Shelby County for Antonio Aguilar after a shooting incident which took place on November 28, 2018.
It’s unknown the total number of streets which are blocked off by law enforcement. However, Louisiana Street (SH 7) is impassable beyond FM 2788 due to a road block and isn't open to traffic until after Loop 500. And Loop 500 is also closed off from the other end of FM 2788 to SH 7. Law enforcement are holding the inside parameter and the Center Fire Department has assisted with redirecting traffic outside the control area.
Travelers should consider alternate routes to avoid being turned around by law enforcement.
More information will be updated on Shelby County Today as it’s made available.
November 30, 2018 - The following criminal defendants failed to appear for felony court in the 123rd Judicial District Court during November 2018:
- Phillip Dalton Evans
- Mario Gareza-Cuapia
- Candance Dyan Harper
- James Randy Hoffpauir
- David Earl Kelley
- Luke Merrell
- Tyler Lee Morris
- Donald Wayne Moss
- Marsh Glenn Odom, Jr.
- Charles Allen Railey
- Jeffery Dwayne Scott
- Nathan H. Wedgeworth
- Christopher Wyuts
On November 30, Judge LeAnn Kay Rafferty entered a order directing District Clerk Lori Oliver to issue an arrest warrant for each individual and to forfeit each Defendant's bond.
If you are listed above, please contact the Court Manager, Karen Warr, 936.598.9928, to schedule a court appearance.
November 30, 2018 - The manhunt which started Wednesday, November 28th for Antonio Jaso Aguilar of Center, Texas has led to him making the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list by Texas Department of Public Safety.
The DPS website states an up to $7,500 reward is offered for the arrest or apprehension of Aguilar. To be eligible for the cash rewards, tipsters must provide information to authorities using one of the following methods:
- Call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
- Submit a web tip through the Texas 10 Most Wanted website or Facebook page
- Submit a tip through the DPS Mobile App
All tips are anonymous – regardless of how they are submitted, and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name. Callers’ anonymity is guaranteed by law and you could earn up to the CASH REWARD amount listed for each fugitive. These fugitives should be considered Armed and Dangerous! Never try to apprehend a fugitive yourself.
Details on the webstie about Aguilar: Antonio Jaso AGUILAR is a violent fugitive with ties to Shelby County, including the cities of Center and Joaquin.On November 28, 2018, AGUILAR allegedly exchanged gunfire with a Texas DPS trooper following an attempted traffic stop in rural northeast Shelby County. AGUILAR fled from the scene and his whereabouts since then are unknown.The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has since issued a warrant for AGUILAR’s arrest for Attempted Capital Murder.In addition, on February 15, 2017, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a warrant for AGUILAR’s arrest for Parole Violation (Original Offenses: Burglary of a Habitation x2).AGUILAR was last seen armed with an assault rifle and should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.
For more details, click the following link - https://www.dps.texas.gov/texas10mostwanted/MostWanted/Fugitives
November 30, 2018 - The Texas Department of Public Safety and area law enforcement officers continue to search for Antonio Jaso Aguilar. Aguilar is wanted for Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer stemming from an incident that occurred on Wednesday, November 28 in Shelby County, Texas.
Aguilar is described as a white Hispanic male, 5’10”, 185 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He has multiple upper body tattoos and a large tattoo on his upper back. The word "DIRTY" is tattooed vertically down his right forearn and the word "SOUTH is tattooed vertically down his left forearm.
The silver Cadillac SUV Aguilar was driving has been recovered and at this time, his means of transportation are unknown.
Aguilar is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding his location or whereabouts is urged to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 936-598-5601.
If anyone is found to be hindering the apprehension, harboring or concealing, providing or aiding with any means of avoiding arrest or effecting escape, or warns Aguilar of impending discovery or apprehension, will be arrested and charged in accordance to Penal Code 38.05 Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution (F-3).
Leah Chase, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Media Relations
November 29, 2018 - The Center Fire Department was paged out to a single vehicle rollover on US Hwy 87 North at 7:30pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.
According to Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jesse Fountain, a gray Chevrolet Avalanche was southbound on US 87 North, nine miles north of Center near CR 1615, when the driver took evasive action to avoid hitting deer in the roadway. The driver, Regina Marshall, 56 of Center, to swerve to avoid the deer when she lost control of the vehicle and it exited the roadway to the right. The vehicle turned sideways and side-skidded before overturning and striking a metal pipe fence. The vehicle came to rest on its top just inside a private driveway.
Marshall was transported by ambulance to the Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department and then flown by life flight to a Shreveport Hospital.
The Center Fire Department assisted with traffic control and picking up the crash scene which was littered with miscellaneous Christmas decorations which had been ejected from the vehicle.
November 29, 2018 - The suspect involved has been identified as 28-year-old Antonio Aguilar, from Center, Texas. A felony warrant for attempted capital murder has been issued for Aguilar with a $5 million bond.
Aguilar is described as a Hispanic male, five foot ten inches tall and weighing approximately 180 pounds. He has short brown hair and brown eyes (pictured).
If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of Aguilar, please contact the DPS Lufkin Communications at 936-699-7340 or your local law enforcement agency or by calling 9-1-1. Hindering the apprehension of Aguilar may be a felony offense.
November 28, 2018 - Texas Rangers are leading a search for an individual involved in a shooting incident in Shelby County.
The event took place just before 2pm Wednesday, November 28, 2018 as a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper was attempting to stop a vehicle on CR 3853.
What occurred is yet to be explained. However, the driver of the vehicle did at some point allegedly shoot at the Texas DPS State Trooper who was in pursuit.
Officers with multiple agencies gathered at adjacent roadways to establish a perimeter in the event the suspect was still traveling those roads.
When Shelby County Today arrived at the location, two occupants from the vehicle which was being pursued were still at the scene. One was transported by ambulance from the location while another was questioned, but not placed under arrest. The officer involved appeared to be uninjured.
Officers moved to a house on State Highway 7 East where a vehicle was located at the back of the property and officers spoke with the resident.
A large contingent of officers from the east Texas area involved in the search convened at ACE Hardware at the intersection of U.S. 96 South and Loop 500 in Center. Officers were seen dressing in protective gear such as bullet proof vests and Ranger James Hicks appeared to be coordinating efforts to locate the suspect.
(Update): According to a press release issued by the Texas DPS, a Texas DPS Trooper attempted to stop a Cadillac SUV on FM 699 for a traffic violation when the driver fled from law enforcement.
The felony suspect continued his flight onto CR 3853, near Joaquin, where he briefly stopped and allowed his two passengers to get out of the Cadillac (they were detained by law enforcement and later released) before he continued evading.
After a short distance, the suspect stopped, backed into the DPS patrol vehicle causing substantial damage, prompting the Trooper to discharge his weapon. The suspect then retrieved a rifle from his Cadillac and fired, striking the windshield of the marked DPS vehicle.
The Trooper was uninjured during this incident.
Law enforcement continues to search the area for the suspect who fled from the scene in the Cadillac. Anyone with information regarding the location of the suspect is asked to contact the DPS Communications facility in Lufkin at 936-699-7340.
This is an ongoing investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
November 27, 2018 - State Highway 87 (SH87) South was the scene of a two-vehicle collision Monday, November 19, 2018 which resulted in one driver being taken by ambulance from the incident.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Justin Sikes, at just before 8pm a red 2015 Nissan passenger car driven by Kiandre Tynique Cartwright, 19, of Shelbyville was southbound on SH87 in the vicinity of CR 2050.
At that time a white 2007 GMC Yukon XL driven by Michael Chad Hughes, 21, of Center was also southbound behind the Nissan. The Yukon failed to control speed and collided with the rear of the Nissan, causing damage. Both vehicles came to a halt on the southbound shoulder.
An ambulance transported Cartwright to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries.
Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department directed traffic at the scene until the vehicles were driven away.
November 26, 2018 Austin - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today warned Texans that fraudulent emails are being sent from people impersonating the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeting users with fake tax documents. These emails often use the subject line “tax transcripts” in an attempt to bait people into opening links and documents that contain destructive malware specifically designed to steal sensitive financial data.
These new attacks come as consumers face IRS impersonation fraud on other platforms as well. The IRS will never call or email citizens to demand repayment for penalties. If consumers receive a fraudulent call or email, but believe they may have penalties, they are advised to call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.
“All Texans should be aware of unsolicited phone calls or emails from scammers impersonating the IRS. This is a nefarious attempt to trick taxpayers into downloading malware and divulging sensitive financial information,” Attorney General Paxton said. “My office stands ready to assist hard-working Texas consumers. The consumer protection section of our website contains several resources on how to recognize, prevent and report scams like this. Being informed is the best way to prevent fraud and loss.”
The OAG website provides timely resources to consumers who need help – including identity theft victims – and provides information on widespread and common scams. On this website, Texans have the opportunity to receive electronic alerts and other notices that help warn them about emerging scams that can lead to financial harm. Consumers can find more information on scams here: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection.
The Consumer Protection Division also receives and reviews complaints submitted to the office by consumers. While the attorney general is prohibited from representing such individuals, these complaints are used by the office to help share priorities and identify issues affecting Texans. Consumers can file complaints by visiting: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint.
November 26, 2018 - According to Kevin Jones, Center Motor Company is offering a $1,000 reward leading to the arrest and indictment of individuals who entered Center Motor Company and stole tools and small equipment between 6pm Tuesday, November 20 and 7am Friday, November 23, 2018.
If you have information regarding this crime, please contact the Center Police Department at 936-598-2788. Detective Bobby Walker is handling the investigation.
Center Motor Company is located on Hurst Street in Center next to Wal-Mart and McDonald's restaurant.
November 18, 2018 - A plane crash just east of Flat Fork Creek on State Highway 7 East is currently being investigated by Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers. It appears at this time all occupants of the plane were not injured.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jesse Fountain, at around 1:10pm a white and blue 2009 Jabiru USA Sport two-seater plane was flying from Baton Rouge, LA to Center Municipal Airport for fuel. The pilot, Leonard James Lorden, 53, of Mansfield, Texas landed at Williams Airport previous to Center in attempts to get fuel; however, the airport was out of the needed fuel at that time.
As the plane approached Center, Lorden stated he had engine failure, and at that time he located a field to put the plane down. The plane came down in the field; however, did not immediately stop and crossed State Highway 7 East before striking the southbound ditch and flipping over onto its top.
Lorden and a 9-year-old female passenger were not injured as a result of the crash.
Additional units responding to the scene were officers with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Center Police Department, Constable Precinct 3 office, Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department, and Center Fire Department.
DPS is in contact with the FAA at this time, and the investigation continues.
As of 4:45pm, the plane was removed from the location to the Center Municipal Airport.
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