On Saturday, September 9, 2023, the Van Police Department responded to a report of theft and vandalism on the Van Independent School District (VISD) property. The incident led to the apprehension of two suspects and the closure of multiple recent criminal cases within the city.
According to authorities, Van Officers received the call and promptly arrived at the VISD property to investigate the reported theft and vandalism. As officers arrived, they spotted the suspects attempting to flee the scene in a stolen Utility Task Vehicle (UTV).
In a daring turn of events, the suspects abandoned the stolen UTV and fled on foot into a dense wooded area spanning over 130 acres north of Virginia Street and west of the Van Memorial Stadium.
Realizing the need for additional resources, law enforcement agencies including the Canton Police Department, Grand Saline Police Department, VISD Police Department, and the Precinct 4 Constable's Office were called in to assist in the operation.
During the coordinated efforts of these agencies, one suspect was successfully detained within a quarter-mile of the scene. The second suspect managed to evade capture temporarily but was eventually apprehended thanks to the Van PD K9 unit and the Grand Saline Police Department. This apprehension occurred on a property located northwest of the Stadium.
The suspects, identified as Brandon Davenport and a juvenile male, are now facing multiple charges related to the incident, including Theft $2,500<$30,000, Evading Arrest or Detention, Criminal Mischief, and three counts of Burglary.
Both individuals were taken into custody, with Brandon Davenport being booked into the Van Zandt County Jail, while the juvenile male was transported to the Van Zandt Juvenile Detention Center.
