MONTGOMERY COUNTY. TX- Around 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Deputies Pct. 4 Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden’s Office arrested fugitive felon Joel Alan Gilmore at a home in the 16000 block of Springfield Drive in Conroe.
Gilmore, who had been on the run from law enforcement in Montgomery County and surrounding areas for weeks, tried once more to flee when Deputies arrived. A brief foot pursuit ensued, ending in Gilmore’s close encounter with Pct. 4 K9 Deputy Vic in the backyard.
During the arrest, a dog from a neighboring property scaled a fence and attacked K9 Deputy Vic. The neighbor dog was extremely aggressive, and Deputies were unable to separate the dogs to stop the attack. Unfortunately, a Pct. 4 Deputy had no choice but to respond with lethal force against the attacking dog.
Following his arrest, Gilmore received medical attention for a dog bite before being released to the custody of the Montgomery County Jail. K9 Deputy Vic is currently receiving veterinary care and undergoing surgery. There’s no update on the condition of the neighbor dog who attacked him.
Joel Alan Gilmore, 40, of New Caney, faces multiple charges, including four Montgomery County warrants for felonies including Assault / Family Violence Impede Breath and Evading Arrest with a Vehicle, and misdemeanors False Drug Test Falsification and Driving with License Invalid. Additional felony warrants from Polk County include Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle and Evading Arrest with Previous Convictions.
As a result of Thursday’s arrest, Gilmore has an additional felony charge for Evading Arrest and a misdemeanor charge for Resisting Arrest.
Constable Hayden said the incident serves a reminder of the risk Deputies face on a daily basis, and it was unfortunate that the dog from the neighboring property entered the scene and became aggressive.
“We never want to see any animal injured, and today two were hurt because of a repeat offender,” Constable Hayden said. “Our thoughts are with K9 Deputy Vic as he’s treated for his injuries, as well as the other dog that was injured.”
