Photo courtesy of the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office
A multi-county chase of a Bedias man resulted in his arrest near Hempstead on Wednesday afternoon.
According to a press release from the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy attempted stopping a vehicle south of Todd Mission, within the Grimes County line. The vehicle failed to stop, and the pursuit stretched into Waller County.
As the chase continued, the driver shot at the pursuing deputy multiple times, to which the deputy returned fire at one point. Neither the deputy nor the driver were injured during the exchange.
The chase entered a private subdivision in Hempstead, off FM 1736, where a brief foot pursuit ensued.
The driver was arrested, and identified as 48 year old James Earl Byrne of Bedias. Upon searching his vehicle, deputies found a rifle.
Byrne was booked into the Grimes County Jail on charges of Evading Arrest in a Vehicle, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. According to online records, he was arrested in Waller County twice, in 1993 and 1996.
The Sheriff’s Office says additional charges will be pursued against Byrne. They say the investigation is ongoing, with no further information to be released at this time.
He is currently held in the Grimes County Jail without bond. without bond.