HOUSTON – A man accused of multiple charges, including felony theft and assaulting a public servant, has been sentenced, the Houston Police Department said.
Two men were parked outside of a Heights-area bank on April 25 watching bank customers conduct their business.
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Police said a woman leaving the bank was targeted by the duo, who followed her to a nearby parking lot.
When the woman left her money in her vehicle, the men broke into the vehicle to steal her money, police said. Officers who were nearby observed the theft as it was happening.
Police said officers attempted to stop the two men and the driver, Tommy Kitchen, evaded arrest in his motor vehicle.
Kitchen fled from officers through a school zone, a construction zone and then a residential area, police said. He and his accomplice, Deandrea Adams, then bailed from their vehicle and evaded arrest on foot.
Police said Adams was quickly caught without incident. Kitchen fled through a residential backyard and over a fence.
Kitchen decided to turn around rather than continue to flee and fought with a pursuing officer, police said. Kitchen fought the officer, struck him and attempted to wrestle him to the ground.
Police said the officer was able to overpower Kitchen after a brief fight and take him into custody.
Kitchen and Adams were charged with felony theft. Police said Kitchen was charged with evading in a motor vehicle and assaulting a public servant (injury), and Adams was also charged with evading arrest on foot.
Adams pleaded guilty to both of his charges and received 18 months in state jail, police said. Kitchen went to trial on his assaulting a public servant charge Tuesday.
Police said a jury panel in Harris County found Kitchen on Tuesday to be guilty of the offense of assaulting a public servant.
Kitchen had previous arrests, which include criminal trespass, numerous aggravated robbery charges, false statement to obtain credit, possession of marijuana, driving while license suspended, hindering apprehension and felon in possession of a weapon, police said. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a 1992 aggravated robbery and to two years in prison for his 2012 felon in possession of a firearm charge.
Police said after finding Kitchen guilty of assaulting a Houston police officer, the jury assigned a penalty of 35 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
"Officers of the Houston Police Department are working with prosecutors from the Harris County District Attorney's office to identify, target, arrest and prosecute these repeat offenders and continue to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the greater Houston area," the department said.