Police nab burglary suspects after wild chase and swim

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

(10/18/06 - KTRK/CONROE, TX) (KTRK) -- Conroe police had a wild chase on their hands, trying to catch up with some suspected burglars.

Just after 5am Wednesday, a police officer responded to an alarm at the Wing Stop restaurant on I-45 North. Before he got there, he spotted a suspicious pickup parked near a Cingular Wireless store. He heard what sounded like an alarm coming from that store, and saw two suspects run out of the business and jump in the truck.

The suspects took off and the officer gave chase. The pursuit reached speeds of more than 100mph. The suspects traveled north on Longmire Road, until they reached the end. They crashed through a gate and attempted to elude police through a field.

The men drove about 200 to 300 yards through the field before driving off a bulkhead and into Lake Conroe. The pickup started to sink approximately 50 feet from shore. The suspects managed to escape the truck and swam for safety. Conroe police officers were able to apprehend the men when they swam to shore.

They were taken into custody, and police charged the men in connection with the burglary at the Cingular store, as well as burglaries Traditions Grill and Bar and Wing Stop.

The two suspects are thought to be involved with several other burglaries in Conroe, Willis and the surrounding area throughout the past week. Several restaurants have been targeted. The burglars pry open the front doors and steal the cash registers, as well as alcohol if the restaurant has a bar.

The suspects were identified as Ron Dale Murray, 47, and Gary Wayne Boyd, 51. Both suspects are residents of Huntsville. Murray was charged with three counts of burglary of a building and evading in a motor vehicle. Boyd was charged with three counts of burglary of a building. More charges are pending.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

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