Suspected thief behind $85,000 firework heist arrested after chase on Gulf Fwy

Tuesday, July 3, 2018
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A man wanted for stealing $85,000 worth of fireworks from a trailer in Cypress is in custody after leading deputy constables on a chase.

Matthew Smith was arrested Tuesday after a chase that lasted nearly 15 minutes on the Gulf Freeway.
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Deputy constables say they believe Smith is the person who was caught on surveillance video stealing fireworks from Sequinder Sing's trailer at a Cypress gas station.

"I was totally lost. We were already ready to open the shop and everything was gone," Sing said.

Sing says he had to return to a Dallas wholesaler and purchase everything again, including the container that held the fireworks.

WATCH: Felony suspect arrested after chase on Gulf Freeway
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According to authorities, deputies had already been tracking Smith since Friday.

The Harris County Pct. 4 Constable's Office said deputy constables spotted him on Tuesday at I-45 and the North Belt through downtown before trying to pull Smith over on the southbound lanes of the Gulf Freeway at Griggs.



When the suspect refused to stop, a brief chase followed. The pursuit ended when the suspect struck at least one car and a guardrail near the South Loop.

Smith was checked out at the scene, just a few exits away from Hobby Airport.

Sing says he is glad Smith won't be free on Independence Day, but on the other hand, "we're in a big loss that doesn't bring our money back or our fireworks back."
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Smith was booked in the Harris County Jail on felony charges.

$85K worth of fireworks stolen from NW Harris County gas station
$85K worth of fireworks stolen from NW Harris County gas station


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