COLORADO COUNTY — Shots fired at a construction site in Colorado County led to a chase that ended in a canal. Colorado County Sheriff Justin Linde - mann's Office issued a press re - lease stating, Wednesday, July 29, at approximately 10:47 a.m., the Colorado County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reporting that an armed suspect had discharged a firearm in the direction of the individuals at a construction site located in the 2300 block of Coun - ty Road 103 near Columbus. The suspect then stole a construction worker's vehicle and fled the scene. While deputies were respond - ing, additional information indi - cated the suspect may have been accompanied by an accomplice; however, no description of the possible accomplice was avail -
able. Responding law enforcement agencies were advised that the sus - pect remained on the several-hun - dred-acre property. A responding Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden observed the suspect driving the stolen ve - hicle at a high rate of speed on CR 103, driving toward Highway 90 Alternate. The suspect subse - quently crashed the vehicle into a canal and fled on foot. Deputies quickly established a perimeter, located the suspect, and took him into custody without further inci - dent. The Colorado County Sheriff's Office deployed its unmanned ae - rial system (drone) to assist in the search for the reported second suspect, while awaiting addition - al resources, including a helicop - ter from the Texas Department of Public Safety and K-9 units from the Waller County Sheriff's Office. As the investigation pro - gressed, investigators determined that the suspect, Robert Scheffel, 20, of Katy, acted alone and that no accomplices were involved. Scheffel was transported to Rice Medical Center in Eagle Lake for treatment of minor inju - ries sustained during the vehicle crash.
No other individuals were in -
jured during the incident. Lindemann stated, the Colo - rado County Sheriff's Office is grateful for the swift response and coordinated efforts of our law en - forcement partners. Their profes - sionalism and collaboration were instrumental in ensuring the safe apprehension of the suspect and the safety of the community. The Colorado County Sheriff's Office extends its appreciation to the Weimar Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Waller County Sher -
iff's Office, and Colorado County EMS for their assistance and con - tinued partnership.
Scheffel was later medically cleared at Rice Medical Center and transported to the Colorado County Jail in Columbus, where he was booked without further in - cident. Scheffel was charged with Aggravated Robbery, 1st Degree Felony; Burglary of a Habitation, 2nd Degree Felony; Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, State Jail Felony; Theft of a Firearm, State Jail Felony. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
ROBERT SCHEFFEL
