Fugitive apprehended near Colmesneil

Chastyn Graham

By Chris Edwards
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COLMESNEIL – A fugitive who has evaded law enforcement for several months is now behind bars.

According to Tyler County Sheriff Bryan Weatherford, Chastyn Malone Graham, a 43-year-old Colmesneil man, was taken into custody on last Tuesday, May 31.

Weatherford said that deputies stopped at a residence near Colmesneil that night in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant and discovered Graham hiding in a makeshift crawlspace inside a bathroom.

The deputies who were on the scene spoke with an individual at the residence who gave them permission to enter and search inside for Graham, Weatherford said.

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Graham had warrants active out of both Tyler and Hardin counties. Weatherford first turned to the public for help in finding Graham last November on the felony theft warrant. His fugitive status was also broadcast to the Crime Stoppers network in hopes that the public could help locate him.

Recently, Graham evaded authorities on a forklift in an incident near Colmesneil. During the incident, another wanted man, Wylie Kyle Mitcham, was arrested. Graham’s escape resulted in additional charges levied.

Graham is in custody at the Tyler County Jail, charged with two felony evading arrest /w/ motor vehicle charges, as well as felony theft and criminal mischief in Tyler County.

He also faces three district warrants for felony tampering with physical evidence, on two counts and a charge out of Hardin County for possession of a controlled substance.

District Judge Steven Thomas, of the 88th District Court, which services Hardin County, has denied bond for Graham.