Police: Suspicious device found in Angleton trailer

Police say man held up traffic, crashed into buildings, led police on chase

ANGLETON, Texas – A man has been arrested after police say they found a suspicious device inside a trailer inside an RV park.

According to Angleton police, 41-year-old Chris Mathis of Van Zandt, Texas held up traffic on Highway 288 southbound at CR 44, and led police on a chase in Angleton.

Mathis then left the scene and went to a convenience store in the 900 block of N. Loop 274, said authorities.

Police said Mathis allegedly stole beer and rammed the front door of the store with his black Ford F250 pickup truck.

According to witnesses, the man then went to a pharmacy located in the 800 block of N. Loop 274 and struck the building with his truck. Police located Mathis as he fled the scene.

Officers pursued Mathis out of city limits where spike strips were deployed, but did not affect all of his truck's tires, said police.

Mathis then accelerated and headed north on Highway 288. Police said a second set of spike strips deflated the rest of the truck's tires.

Authorities said Mathis turned west on CR 48 and south onto Highway 288 southbound. His truck slowed down and came to a complete stop on the highway at FM 523, where Mathis was taken into custody.

An officer was sent to the travel trailer where Mathis was staying off CR 44. The officer reported the front door of Mathis' trailer was open and there appeared to be an electronic device attached to a propane tank inside the trailer, said police.

As a result, police said the RV park was evacuated and CR 44, FM 523 and Highway 288 (between CR 44 and FM 523) were shut down as a precaution.

The Houston Police Bomb Squad was called to the trailer park to disarm the device. They confirmed to police that the device was a bomb and it was then defused.

Mathis was transported to the Angleton Police Department jail. He is charged with evading arrest or detention, criminal mischief, aggravated assault on a public servant, resisting arrest or transport, obstructing highway or other roadway, and shoplifting.