Crooks caught in the act flee, but don’t get far

Waco police arrested four people after a resident in the China Spring area called early Thursday to report an auto burglary.

Officers were sent at around 4 a.m. Thursday to the area near Flat Rock Road and Tree Lake Drive where a car had crashed into a tree while the three occupants fled from the scene of the break-in, Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said.

Swanton said the victim went outside early Thursday and spotted a man inside his car.

When the man saw the homeowner, he jumped into a car in which the other three suspects were waiting and the three fled with the resident in pursuit.

The chase didn’t last long.

The car veered off the road, went over a curb, through the front yard of a home and crashed into the tree.

The driver pulled a gun on the victim, who backed away, but continued to talk with a 911 dispatcher.

Officers were able to arrest the two women and two men and recovered the handgun and property taken in “multiple burglaries,” police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said.

“It is possible these suspects have been involved in (motor vehicle burglaries) that have been occurring the past few weeks in and around the Waco area,” he said.

Officers arrested Next Rutledge, 18, Kimbresha Starts, 20, Derrick Beverly, 21, and Culvale Campbell, 19.

All four were facing charges of engaging in organized crime, Swanton said.

Rutledge also faces an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, he said.

Only Starts was listed on McLennan County’s online jail roster Thursday night.