ELLIS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have a suspect in custody.
On Dec. 18, police were dispatched to the 600 Block of W. 13th Street in Hays for a report of a man with a gun that had entered a home and attempted to rob the tenants.
Officers from the HPD and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office learned that the suspect had fled on foot into the tree line south of O'Loughlin Elementary School.
Police officers and deputies pursued the suspect later identified as 28-year-old Brenden Matthew Smith of Hays on foot through the tree line. The officers were able to catch Smith but he refused to comply with the officers despite repeated commands.
An officer deployed their Taser, but it was ineffective because of the heavy coat the suspect was wearing. Officers then tackled Smith and forcibly handcuffed him as he continued to resist.
Officers then transported Smith to Hays Medical Center for medical evaluation and he was later transported to the Ellis County Jail.
Investigation determined Smith had entered the apartment to rob the tenants. He held a knife to a victim’s throat and threatened to kill him. A neighbor, hearing the disturbance, approached the apartment.
Smith confronted the neighbor who attempted to call 911. Smith took the phone away from neighbor, and the neighbor fled back into his apartment. Smith chased the neighbor into the apartment.
The neighbor then obtained a handgun to protect himself. Smith attacked the neighbor and attempted to take the gun away from him.
The neighbor was able to retain the gun and forced Smith out of the apartment. He fled the scene and was later arrested
Smith is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Burglary, Robbery, Aggravated Battery, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, and Criminal Threat.