Dramatic Manhunt of Fugitive from Spring, TX Culminates in Arrest Following Wild Chase Through Kerr and Gillespie Counties

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at approximately 8:26 a.m., Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) deputies received a notification from the Kerrville Police Department regarding a pursuit. The suspect’s vehicle was heading northbound on Ranch Road 783 and later turned onto McCullough Road, ultimately eluding Kerrville PD.

The chase resumed when law enforcement located the vehicle on Zenner-Ahrens Road in Kerrville. GCSO deputies and the Gillespie County Constable of Pct. 2 joined the pursuit as it continued westbound on White Oak Road. Unfortunately, the suspect managed to escape once again. A vigilant caller later reported witnessing the suspect park the vehicle and flee near a residence on Windy Ridge Road in Fredericksburg.

Throughout the morning, law enforcement, assisted by a Kerrville PD tracking dog, drones, and a DPS helicopter, conducted an extensive search but failed to locate the male suspect. It wasn’t until later in the day that a tip from a resident’s ring camera placed the suspect at a residence on Antler Spur, approximately 9 miles away from the last sighting.

Law enforcement converged on the location, establishing a perimeter. During this operation, a locked shop door at the residence was discovered. The homeowner said he never locks that door. With the assistance of K9 Furex, authorities gained entry and successfully apprehended the suspect after he surrendered.

The arrested individual has been identified as 33-year-old Joshua Wayne Hatley of Spring, TX. Hatley is wanted on multiple open warrants from Harris County and Montgomery County, including charges related to DWI, evading arrest with a vehicle, retaliation, family violence, assault impairing breathing, and bail jumping. Additional charges are pending in connection with the recent events.

Deputies from the Kerr Sheriff’s Office took Hatley into custody and transported him to the Kerr County Jail.