PALESTINE, Texas — The Palestine Police Dept. helped track down an East Texas man wanted for murder in Houston.
According to the PPD, on Thursday, March 24, detectives were asked to help the Houston Police Department with their investigation into a murder at the Galleria Mall that occurred on March 19, 2022.
The PPD says Roderick Moore, 20, and Kylyn Thomas, 20, were identified as persons of interest in the investigation, and a description of the vehicle they were using was provided to police.
"Detectives were familiar with both, Moore and Thomas, and knew them to be local criminal street gang members suspected to be involved in several Palestine cases, to include previous shootings," the PPD said in a statement. "Palestine detectives already had a warrant for the arrest of Moore for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, related to a shooting in Palestine from Oct. 2021 in the 200 block of Joe Louis St.. During the previous shooting, a 24-year-old man was shot in the back and survived."
The PD says on Friday, March 25, detectives located the vehicle reportedly belonging to Thomas and Moore in the 500 block of E. Neches St., sitting in a driveway.
Police went up to the vehicle and found Thomas and Moore inside. Officials say they also found a handgun from the floorboard of the vehicle. Moore was then taken into custody on the felony warrant.
The PPD says Thomas was found with a gun, cocaine, marijuana and a bundle of cash. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and unlawfully carrying a weapon.
Officials say Jaques Faulk, 24, who was also on scene, was also arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.
On Thursday, Harrison County officials issued an arrest warrant capital murder on Moore who was being held at the Anderson County Sheriff's Office.
"Several Palestine Police Department cases are still open investigations and additional charges are expected in the future," PPD Chief Mark Harcrow said. "The detectives and officers involved in this case did an excellent job following up and locating these individuals. These individuals are dangerous, and our streets are safer with them behind bars.”