HOUSTON – A man with an extensive rap sheet, who authorities described as a "serial criminal," was arrested this week after a chase and crash in west Houston, according to police.
Lavert Hart, 25, who is also known as Tre Dorsey, was arrested Tuesday afternoon near the intersection of the Interstate 10 Katy Freeway and Campbell Road.
Police said Hart led officers on a brief pursuit after he ran a red light. The chase ended when he crashed into another vehicle and tried to run from officers.
Hart was being sought in connection with a rash of crimes committed by organized criminal street gangs, investigators said. Last month, investigators named Hart among 17 men they said are part of a gang based in Houston’s 5th Ward.
Police said Hart’s criminal history dates back to November 2013, when he was arrested after a chase. That vehicle was found to contain items taken during a rash of vehicle burglaries, they said. He was charged with burglary of a motor vehicle and evading in a motor vehicle. Police said he pleaded guilty to the burglary charge and was later released on bail on the evading charge.
Investigators said they believe Hart is connected to at least 16 crimes that date back to 2014, including burglaries of vehicles, evading arrest, drug possession, aggravated robbery and theft. He is also believed to be connected to a crime in June 2015, where a person was followed home from a bank and money was stolen from their car, investigators said. Police commonly describe this crime
as “bank jugging.”
After Tuesday’s arrest Hart was charged with evading arrest and burglary of a motor vehicle. His probation was also revoked.
Police said that if Hart is convicted of evading arrest, he faces between two and 10 years in prison.
