AUSTIN COUNTY — The Austin County Sheriff's Office reported that on Nov. 9, an Austin County deputy pulled over a vehicle for a moving violation on Interstate 10 near Sealy. When the dep -
uty exited his patrol truck, the stopped vehicle suddenly sped off, driving reck -
lessly.
The deputy pursued the vehicle and observed the occupant discarding un - known items. The Sealy Police Depart - ment assisted in recovering those items, which were later identified as Adderall, cocaine, ecstasy or fentanyl pills, mar -
ijuana, methamphetamine, Xanax and Vicodin.
The vehicle continued to evade law enforcement, heading westbound into Colorado County, ultimately stopping at Farm to Market 949. At this point, the suspect exited the vehicle but soon re - turned with a young child, possibly us -
ing the child as a shield. The deputy was previously unaware of the child's pres -
ence in the vehicle. Fortunately, the dep - uty was able to communicate with the suspect and safely take custody of the child without any harm. The child was examined by Colorado County EMS and medical professionals and subsequently released to family members.
Derrick Wheaton, 45, was arrested and charged with Abandonment and Endangerment of a Child in Imminent Danger, Evading Arrest, Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Marijuana, Reckless Driving, and Tam - pering with Physical Evidence. Wheaton was also wanted on four active felony warrants from Bexar County.
