Bell County pursuit ends in Milam County

A multi-city pursuit that began in Bell County came to an end in Milam County with a subject in custody.

The Milam County Sheriff’s Office was notified shortly before 11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, that a pursuit that originated in Bell County was entering Milam County. Temple Police Department had begun the pursuit following a report of a kidnapping. As officers were responding, a male subject, later identified by Police as 27-year-old Paul Rodriguez, fled with a female and a baby inside the car.

That pursuit went from Temple through Rogers and Buckholts and near the western city limits of Cameron. The suspect vehicle was able to avoid multiple spike attempts on US190 and turned north on Ben Milam Road near Cameron. At that point, the vehicle drove into a field and then a stock pond.

Rodriguez, who was the driver, then fled on foot while leaving the female and baby in the vehicle in the pond. The two victims were rescued safely. Officers from Temple PD, the Milam County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens converged on the area and began a search for the suspect. Milam County Special Investigations Division Lieutenant John Helenberg deployed a Sheriff’s Office drone and used thermal imaging cameras to locate the suspect running toward CR 202. Rodriguez crossed two fences and approached an occupied home in the area when deputies apprehended him as he tried to gain access to the house.

As he was being taken into custody, Rodriguez became unresponsive and had to be administered multiple doses of Narcan before American Medical Response could arrive on scene. Rodriguez, who was taken to the hospital for treatment, was booked into Bell County Jail on Monday, Feb. 19, after being cleared from the hospital. It was later determined that he had multiple drugs in his system at the time of his arrest. Temple PD has brought charges against Rodriguez for Kidnapping, Evading Arrest in a Vehicle, and Child Endangerment.

“Great cooperation between all agencies involved helped to rescue two victims following a kidnapping and pursuit that began in a neighboring county," Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore said. "In addition, Milam County was able to bring in a drone with thermal imaging cameras that greatly assisted in the capture of the suspect involved. The drone is another tool in our toolbox that we can use to maintain public safety.”