Arrest in Victoria of Woman Linked to Escaped Inmate Case Leads to His Capture in Matagorda County

At approximately 8:25 p.m. on December 17, 2023, officers from the Victoria Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a white Nissan in the 100 block of Sam Houston Drive in Victoria, TX. The stop was directly linked to the escape of inmate Robert Dean Yancy Jr. from the TDC (Clements Unit) in Brazoria County.

Upon conducting a preliminary investigation, the officers discovered that the female driver and sole occupant of the vehicle had an outstanding felony warrant associated with the escaped inmate from Brazoria County. Subsequently, the female suspect was taken into custody without incident.

The Victoria Police Department is actively participating in an ongoing collaborative effort with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and apprehend Robert Dean Yancy Jr. The investigation is underway, and law enforcement officials are working diligently to bring the case to a resolution.

UPDATE: In an update at 8:30 a.m. on December 18, 2023, the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office announced that Robert Dean Yancy Jr. has been successfully captured in Matagorda County, about 45 miles southwest of the Brazoria County prison, and now faces felony escape charges.

Two other people believed to be involved in his escape were arrested in Victoria, Texas, by the Office of Inspector General, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said in a statement Monday. Yancy’s mother, Leonor Priestle, was charged with permitting or facilitating escape, and Russell Williams was charged with criminal intent to escape.