The Brownwood Police Department issued the following press release Monday morning regarding arrests made over the weekend.  The first case involved a stolen pickup from the campus of Howard Payne University.

On Saturday, March 19, 2022, at approximately 4:20 pm officers were dispatched to the Bluffview Apartments, at 320 Bluffview regarding a suspicious person.

Sgt Art Shannon arrived on scene and located a subject standing beside a white Chevrolet S-10 type pickup.  The male was inside the vehicle but left it when Sgt Shannon approached him.  Sgt Shannon was able to stop the male and identified him as 47 yr old James Otis Walker of Brownwood.

A Communications check revealed Walker had a warrant for his arrest out of Texas Pardon and Parole.  Furthermore, Walker was seen by Sgt Shannon inside the pickup that Communications confirmed was reported stolen from Howard Payne University.

While speaking of the pickup, Walker suddenly turned and ran away from Sgt Shannon.  Walker ran from the 320 apartments to the 322-apartment complex and then he jumped a wrought-iron fence and ran into a pasture.  Ultimately, Walker was unable to outrun all the officers converging in the area. Walker was arrested and transported to the Brown County Jail where he was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Evading Detention w/ Prior Convictions and the Pardon and Parole Warrant.

In another call answered over the weekend:

On Saturday, March 19, 2022, at approximately 5:40 pm, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1300 blk of Brooks Ave.

Upon arrival, they met with the adult male victim who displayed obvious signs of a physical altercation.  It appeared that he was scratched and clawed about his face and neck.  Officers learned that the assault just occurred, and the suspect was identified as 47 year-old Laura Marie Stambaugh.  Stambaugh fled the scene on foot just prior to officers’ arrival.

While Officer Holdar investigated this complaint, Officer James Wells located Stambaugh walking a few blocks away.  Ofc Wells exited his patrol vehicle to speak with Stambaugh, but she chose to flee on foot instead.  Ofc Wells caught up to Stambaugh who then resisted detention and attempted to fight with Ofc Wells.

Stambaugh was arrested and charged with Assault on a Family Member, Evading Detention and Resisting Arrest.