Two Men Arrested After Bank Jugging Theft, Chase Across Fort Bend County

ROSENBERG, Texas – Two men were arrested Wednesday after police say they stole approximately $10,000 from a victim in a bank jugging incident, then led officers on a vehicle pursuit before attempting to hide in a nearby neighborhood.

The Rosenberg Police Department said the investigation began July 29 after officers received a report that approximately $10,000 in cash had been stolen from a victim who had stopped at both a Chase Bank and a Bank of America before the theft occurred.

A short time later, officers located the suspect vehicle traveling north on U.S. Highway 59. When officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver fled, leading police on a pursuit.

The chase ended when the suspect vehicle crashed near U.S. Highway 59 and Sweetwater Boulevard.

Witnesses told officers they saw two men run from the crashed vehicle and flee on foot behind Sugar Land Baptist Church.

A coordinated search involving the Rosenberg Police Department, Sugar Land Police Department, Houston Police Department’s FOX Helicopter Unit, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office RAVEN drone team led to both suspects being found hiding in a nearby neighborhood.

Both men were taken into custody without further incident.

Investigators recovered several thousand dollars in cash that is believed to have been stolen during the theft.

Police identified the suspects as 28-year-old Larry Lendall Nicholson of Houston and 32-year-old Courtland Courteze Martin of Humble.

Nicholson was charged with theft of property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000, a state jail felony. Authorities also confirmed he had three outstanding felony warrants from Louisiana.

Martin was charged with theft of property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000, a state jail felony, and evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle, a third-degree felony.

The Rosenberg Police Department thanked citizen witnesses and its law enforcement partners for their assistance, saying the coordinated effort was instrumental in locating the suspects and recovering the stolen cash.

The investigation remains ongoing. Additional charges may be filed as more information becomes available.