Search continues for fugitive in Wednesday's chase

One suspect was arrested and another is still on the run after a high-speed vehicle chase through Stephens County Wednesday, Jan. 3. Kari Haigler, 33, of Breckenridge, was arrested while a second suspect, identified as Michael “Lucky” Aldridge, remains on the run.

Haigler was taken to the Stephens County Jail to be charged with evading arrest and detention Wednesday night.
Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach said Haigler was found in a dumpster near a house on FM 207, with the help of a good Samaritan.

“The guy and girl went to a house and knocked on a door and gave a story about how they had wrecked their vehicle and needed help and wanted to use their phone,” Roach said.

The resident did not let the pair into the house but made a phone call on their behalf and offered a blanket. Roach said the resident contacted SCSO after the pair left the house.

After he was seen Thursday morning, Roach issued an update via Facebook regarding Aldridge.

“Earlier this morning, January 4th, 2023, Aldridge stole a vehicle from a hunter southeast of Breckenridge. Aldridge utilized the stolen vehicle and again traveled across pasture land, crashing through fences and gates,” Roach wrote. “Aldridge avoided law enforcement and entered the city of Breckenridge, where he dumped the stolen vehicle. Aldridge is a wanted fugitive and is at large. While Aldridge displayed a complete disregard for the lives and property of citizens of Stephens County while evading law enforcement, he is not believed to be an imminent threat to citizens. As with all fugitives, if you encounter Aldridge, you are asked to contact law enforcement and do not attempt to apprehend him.”

Haigler and Aldridge were both wanted after starting a chase when the two were allegedly caught shoplifting at the Breckenridge Walmart, located at 3800 W. Walker St on Wednesday, Jan 3. Stephens County Constable Wayne McMullen tried to approach the two when they fled in a white Subaru Legacy.

“Constable McMullen was at Walmart when these folks were in there allegedly shoplifting,” Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach said. “The employees at Walmart asked Constable McMullen to stop them and that’s how it all kicked off.”

The suspects originally headed west on US 180 when they were turned around due to the closure of the bridge crossing Hubbard Creek Lake.

“The guy went off road at the bridge on the south side of (US) 180 then headed back east toward down,” Roach said. “They went south on FM 2231 and toward South Smith and South Miller. He came north on South Miller toward the city then went back east on Wheeler.”

Breckenridge Police Department and Stephens County Sheriff’s Office joined to assist in the chase with speeds of 100 mph. The Texas Department of Public Safety assisted by deploying spike strips on US 183 S. The car, driven by Aldridge, avoided the strips before eventually crashing into a pond at a water treatment plant just east of Hwy. 67.

“He started using his vehicle as a ram and started busting gates and fences and went off road across several pastures back onto 180 and then he went east toward Breckenridge and turned north on Hwy. 67.” Roach said. “…and then turns back onto a private pasture.”

Roach said the pair drove toward a water treatment plant before submerging into a holding pond.

“At that point, we had lost sight of him. The route he took, we couldn’t take with our vehicles so I was tracking him on foot and found the vehicle submerged. They had about a 20-minute head start on foot,” Roach said.” SCSO and DPS used a camera and thermal drones provided by DPS to locate Haigler and Aldridge, who had fled on foot. Roach said fog started to set in later in the evening making the search more difficult.

Roach advises community members with any tips to contact any of the following phone numbers: 911, 254-559-2211 (BPD), 254-559-2481 (SCSO) or 877-500-8477 (Stephens County Crime Stoppers).