Man Arrested After Fleeing Officers During Fraud Investigation at Webster Best Buy

On March 12, 2025, at approximately 4:10 p.m., Deputy Cartlidge responded to a reported fraud attempt at the Best Buy located in the 19400 block of the Gulf Freeway in Webster.

A store employee reported that an individual attempted to obtain a Best Buy credit card and a loan using a potentially fraudulent Louisiana driver’s license. Employees became suspicious when the individual claimed a different name and address. Financial institutions denied the applications due to suspected fraudulent activity, and a store device used to verify IDs indicated the driver’s license was likely fake.

While Deputy Cartlidge spoke with the employee, a man matching the suspect’s description was seen exiting the store. When approached, the man initially denied having identification but was reminded he had just presented one to store staff. As the deputy investigated further, the man fled on foot.

Deputy Cartlidge pursued the suspect and successfully apprehended him using a Taser. The man was identified as 21-year-old Chris Obaze of Richmond, Texas.

A search of Obaze revealed three fraudulent driver’s licenses — one from Louisiana and two from California — each featuring different names but his photograph. Further investigation confirmed the names and birthdates on the IDs belonged to real individuals who had no connection to Obaze and had never been to Houston.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office accepted charges of Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information against Obaze.