Wanted Fugitive with Assault Warrant Arrested After 11-Mile High-Speed Chase on SH 99

Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office East Command Hot Spot Unit arrested a wanted fugitive Tuesday, December 30, following a multi-agency high-speed pursuit that ended in east Montgomery County.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies were patrolling State Highway 99 when they spotted a white Dodge pickup traveling westbound. The driver was identified as 43-year-old Fred Shugart, who was known to law enforcement and had active warrants for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, along with a warrant issued by the Texas Department of Pardons and Paroles.

Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop near Valley Ranch Parkway, but Shugart refused to stop and accelerated westbound on SH 99, prompting a pursuit. The chase stretched approximately 11 miles and involved deputies and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, with Shugart reportedly driving at high speeds in an attempt to evade law enforcement.

The pursuit came to an end when Shugart exited the freeway at Riley Fuzzel Road. His vehicle became inoperable on the feeder road, allowing deputies to take him into custody. Authorities said he was arrested without further incident.

In addition to his outstanding warrants, Shugart now faces an additional charge of Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle. He was booked into the Montgomery County Jail, where he remains in custody.