Ex-La Marque city manager hid for days before being arrested on arson, and other charges, GCSO says
LA MARQUE, Texas (KTRK) -- Former La Marque City Manager Joshua Blaine Pritchett was arrested in the Dallas area on Saturday after several days on the run, according to the La Marque Fire Department.
The Galveston County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Melencio Villarreal said Pritchett, 36, had been "hiding" in the Royse City and Fate City area of Rockwall County, where he has family.
Pritchett was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants, including first-degree felony arson, third-degree felony tampering with physical evidence, and a misdemeanor for filing a false report to a peace officer. Additional charges allege Pritchett lied about serving in the military and about receiving degrees from schools he didn't attend.
Authorities say Pritchett's arrest came a day after his attorney sent a press statement claiming that Pritchett would arrange to turn himself in to the Galveston County Sheriff's Office. However, when authorities did not hear from him or his attorney to make those arrangements, they decided to go to the area and make the arrest themselves, Villarreal said.
Pritchett resigned from his position on July 7, and days later, authorities announced an active search for him.
He was arrested after a traffic stop at the intersection of FM 1138 and State Highway 66 in the north Texas community of Fate City, the Galveston County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Melencio Villarreal said.
Pritchett is expected to be transported to the Galveston County Jail.
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