Arrest documents detail the man’s crimes following the attempted robbery of a Lufkin business.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) – Arrest documents shed light on how a Houston man jailed in Nacogdoches for a botched robbery in Lufkin was freed and continued his crime spree until he was found late Friday.

Thaddeus Donnell Richardson Jr., 26, was arrested in a Nacogdoches County and DPS trooper’s vehicle when he slipped the handcuffs in front of him and then unbuckled his seat belt, according to an arrest affidavit.

Affidavits from Texas DPS, the Nacogdoosh Police Department and the Nacogdoosh County Sheriff’s Office describe a series of crimes that allegedly took place on Friday.

At 11:35 a.m., Richardson attempted to rob the Cash Now at 107 S. Timberland Drive in Lufkin at gunpoint. Security video shows a man jumping the store counter and attacking the clerk before fleeing.

The DPS report said the troopers were waiting for a gray Dodge Charger that fled the robbery and was headed north. At 1:40 p.m., an NCSO sergeant located the vehicle on South Street in Nacogdoches. A DPS trooper responded, and a statement found the Charger had license plates that did not match the vehicle, the driver had no license and was wearing an ankle monitor.

Richardson was then arrested for driving without a license and transported to the Nacogdoches Police Department to answer questions before being released back to a DPS trooper. Lufkin police detectives with an arrest warrant searched the charger and reported finding evidence matching the Cash Now security video: clothing and an airsoft gun resembling a Beretta handgun.

Meanwhile, Richardson sits in a DPS patrol vehicle with his seat belt buckled behind him with two pairs of shackles, while the in-car camera slides the harness forward, slides under the seat belt, jumps into the driver’s seat and attempts to steal the SUV. The report said a security lock prevented the vehicle from being stolen, but when the trooper approached, Richardson jumped out and fled on foot, jumping over a high metal fence and disappearing into the tree line west of Old Tyler Road.

The NPD affidavit describes officers tracking Richardson’s ankle, while the DPS affidavit says a perimeter was set up around the area.

However, Richardson was able to gain entry to a residence on Pearl Street, where he stole the keys to a Toyota 4Runner with an AR-15, DPS states.

According to the NPD report, officers then received a call from a couple shopping at Kroger on North Street, and saw Richardson entering the lot on his own wheel.

Paul Hubbard said to his wife, “Hey, look, hun, somebody took my 4Runner.” The statement was just a joke until he realized the stickers on the back. Hubbard said he saw Richardson “relaxing, texting” in the 4Runner, but when he tried to open the door, Richardson tried to drive him away before driving off, hitting other cars.

The Hubbards also said their home was broken into, the bedrooms trashed and drawers turned over. Alison Hubbard described how it was hard to feel safe knowing Richardson was there.

Officers pursued Richardson northbound on Garrison on a highway pursuit at more than 100 mph, DPS said, until he pulled over and crashed on US 59. He fled again on foot into a wooded area and began a multi-agency manhunt, NPD said.

Richardson stole another car, a black Hyundai, several miles from the crash site in the 1700 block of Lynn Flat Road. in Garrison, who drew the attention of Shelby County deputies who pulled him over for a traffic stop, according to NCSO. The DPS report says Shelby County deputies were able to chase down Richardson and arrest him after deploying a Taser.

He was then transported to the Nacogdoches County Jail and booked around 11:50 p.m., according to NCSO. He faces seven felony charges, including unauthorized use of a vehicle, burglary of a habitation and escape from custody.

Related:

• Authorities have released the name of the suspect in the armed robberies at the Lufkin Cash Store
• Suspect who attacked Lufkin store clerk, escapes custody and is re-arrested

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