Polk County News

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A teenager led law enforcement on a chase that spanned three counties Sunday, ending with a crash in Liberty County.

At approximately 12:24 p.m., the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle that had been stolen from the Scenic Loop area.

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office soon located the vehicle entering U.S. Highway 59 South near Thomas Supply and attempted to make a stop. A pursuit was initiated after the driver failed to stop the vehicle. The pursuit continued south into San Jacinto County and then Liberty County, where the driver lost control and wrecked the vehicle on U.S. Highway 59 South, just before Splendora.

The driver of the vehicle, Sidney Blake Murphrey, 18, of Livingston, was taken into custody by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and transported back to the Polk County Jail. He was charged with a state-jail felony of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and third-degree felony of evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.

Murphrey was also served with an active motion to revoke probation warrant for a previous third-degree felony of evading arrest or detention with a vehicle. It was 11 months ago, on July 18, when he then led Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a pursuit.

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From Enterprise Staff

State Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and State Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) secured $800,000 through House Bill 1, the General Appropriations Act, for the construction of an interpretive rendering of the Mission Dolores Complex.

Mission Dolores, located in San Augustine, is a state historic site where a Spanish mission was built in 1721. Though the site is home to a museum where visitors can view interpretive displays of Mission Dolores, there are currently no above-ground remains of the mission. Efforts to construct an interpretive replica of Mission Dolores have been ongoing for years but have stalled due to lack of funding. In securing state funding through the state budget, the Texas Historical Commission will oversee the construction of a life-size, three-dimensional rendering of the mission complex.

“Mission Dolores is such a beloved part of the San Augustine Community,” Ashby said. “I’m thrilled that we were able to dedicate state funds for this new construction project, which will provide visitors with a tangible representation of the mission complex to help tell the story of Mission Dolores.”

“This year the legislature is making a transformative investment in one of East Texas’ most historic places,” Nichols said. “These funds will allow Texans to experience Mission Dolores as it once was. I was proud to work with my Senate and House colleagues to ensure Texans can continue to enjoy the rich history of Mission Dolores.”

Nichols was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2007 and represents 18 counties across East Texas including part of Jefferson County. Ashby is in his sixth term as a member of the Texas House of Representatives and currently represents Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Trinity and Tyler Counties.

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Two house burglaries in the Livingston area have landed four in the Polk County Jail.

In May, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary on Second Street and another on Sundance Trail.

Several pieces of furniture, electronics, and household items were reported stolen. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division initiated an investigation and were able to gather information that resulted in obtaining a search warrant for two residences near the burglarized homes.

The stolen property was recovered in these residences and subsequently returned to the owners. During execution of the search warrant, narcotics were also found in the residence.

Four subjects, all from Livingston, were arrested in reference to the case. Shane Melvin Meilike, 38, and Allen Randolph Banks, 39, were charged with burglary of a habitation. Stephen Antonio Theis, 38, was charged with burglary of a habitation and possession of a controlled substance, while Tiffany Che Martinez, 39, received charges of possession of a controlled substance and tampering/fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all involved with assisting detectives in the investigation.

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Felony theft at a tower site off Highway 59 led to the arrest of three Livingston residents.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a call Tuesday afternoon reporting a felony theft that had occurred at a Verizon tower site off of U.S. Highway 59 North, just north of Livingston.

A deputy responded and observed where the fence had been cut and a few items used to force entry lying about. He also observed a trail in the woods leading away from the site. The deputy followed the trail, which led him to a residence off Warren Scott Lane. Once there, the deputy observed items used to break into the cell phone tower site, along with an item that was taken from the scene.

The deputy made contact with a subject found on the property and identified him as Jared Lee Schanfish, who was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives were called to the residence and were able to obtain a search warrant for the residence and property.

Detectives found that the address was the residence of Clifford Glenn Scott. Also found staying at the residence were Melissa Michelle Outland and William Choate Jr., along with Choate’s toddler daughter.

The search resulted in four arrests, as detectives located a large amount of methamphetamine in the residence, along with fentanyl.

Schanfish, 37, was charged with possession of a controlled substance. Outland, 43, received two charges of possession of a controlled substance. Choate Jr., 50, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, and criminal negligence of abandoning or endangering a child.

All three subjects were transported to the Polk County Jail on their charges. Clifford Scott was not located at the residence at the time the search warrant was executed. He now has active felony warrants for his arrest for two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

At this time, detectives are still investigating the felony theft. CPS was contacted regarding the child, who is now in the care of a responsible party.