EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY – An alert citizen tipped off the office of Montgomery County Pct. 4 Constable Rowdy Hayden after recognizing a fugitive featured on a Houston television station. The information led to four arrests, including the suspect at a home on Fostoria Road west of US 59.
KPRC, Channel 2 in Houston airs a “Wheel of Justice” segment during their newscast, which shows a fugitive’s photograph and provides details of their alleged crime, along with information about reporting their whereabouts. On Wednesday, the program spotlighted 21-year-old Crystal Deann Kimberlin of Splendora, whose probation was revoked. Her alleged victim was interviewed for the segment and described a brutal attack by two women who she identified as Kimberlin and 33-year-old Patricia Ann Quintanilla, who was not wanted because she had not been caught violating the terms of her probation.
On Wednesday night, the “Men in Black” arrested Kimberlin, whose current address is 11581 Fostoria Rd. near Splendora; Quintanilla, address unknown (last known address was east of Conroe); Anthony Shane Sustaita, 25, of 21433 Towerwood Drive in EMC; and 31-year-old Edward Garcia Jr. of 1250 Meekins Rd. in Splendora were all charged with first-degree felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
A 15-year-old who was also present was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and will appear before Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace James Metts.
Sustaita was also charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution of a known felon and multiple JP4 warrants, including no driver’s license; three warrants for failure to appear; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Garcia, who surrendered to authorities at the Pct. 4 Constable’s Office while deputies processed the first three suspects, was also charged with evading arrest/detention.
In addition to the drug charge, Kimberlin was arrested on a motion to revoke warrant which is the reason for her unexpected appearance on television. The program showed an interview with the female victim of the crime for which Kimberlin was convicted who detailed her assault/robbery at the hands of Kimberlin and Quintanilla. There was no warrant to revoke Quintanilla’s probation because was not caught violating the terms – that is, until Wednesday night…
Thelma and Louise reunited?
Pct. 4 Lt. Mark Seals said several units went to the home on Fostoria Rd. where they believed they would find Kimberlin. They had no idea her old friend Quintanilla would be there, along with their friends who now share an unwanted bond, so to speak.
While deputies searched for her, Chief Deputy Barry Welch saw Kimberlin sitting inside her parked vehicle. Several other people were in vehicles parked beside hers, including Quintanilla, Seals said.
Welch arrested Kimberlin, while Seals questioned the other suspects.
Like stirring an ant pile
It was later learned that “several people were inside the house,” Seals said, including a 15-year-old female who ran and hid in her bedroom, locking the door.
“We have information that prior to our arrival, all of the people were inside the house using drugs,” Seals said. “We took three suspects into custody outside the home and another suspect ran out the back door and fled.”
The fourth suspect, Garcia, left his vehicle behind and fled on foot. Officers conducted a search, which included a K-9 tracking unit, but Garcia successfully escaped capture.
Home alone… or not
Seals contacted the homeowner, an older female, and asked her if she was aware of who was in her home. She said only her son and teen daughter were supposed to be there, Seals said. The woman gave her consent for deputies to enter her property and ensure that her children were present.
The mother later arrived home and Seals said more information was gleaned at that point.
“We learned (the 15-year-old) ran into her bedroom because she and several adult males were in the living area of the home smoking marijuana prior to our arrival,” he said. “She was scared, and it was understandable, when a bunch of police officers showed up.”
Deputy Drew Sharp also responded with a K-9 trained in narcotics detection. The dog made an odor response to Sustaita’s vehicle where Seals said deputies found 5.9 grams methamphetamine, which has a street value of about $600.
Also inside Sustaita’s vehicle, Seals said items were recovered including a wallet with an ID inside that was connected to a vehicle theft on July 20 at a Blockbuster Video store in South Montgomery County. The lieutenant contacted the woman whose license and other belongings were discovered and she was relieved to know the items were recovered.
The July 20 theft case remains under investigation and additional charges are pending, he said.
Garcia’s vehicle was towed to the Pct. 4 Office, after narcotics were found inside, Seals said.
Expect the unexpected
As Pct. 4 deputies interviewed the first three suspects and completed booking paperwork at their office in New Caney, Garcia showed up and surrendered. According to Seals, Garcia not only turned himself in, he accepted responsibility for his actions.
“He admitted he ran, or evaded; he admitted smoking marijuana with the kid and others,” Seals said. “He told us he had marijuana on his person when he ran and he thought he might have warrants.”
A search of his vehicle uncovered several Xanax pills which he admitted were in his possession, Seals said.
Above and beyond
Most of the Pct. 4 officers involved in the warrant service, search and arrests should have been off-duty. Some started their day at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and remained in service until early Thursday morning when their part of the arrest / booking process was complete. Constable Hayden remained on-duty with his men and was among the last to go home.
