Kingsville Police Department

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS (News Release) – In the early morning of December 22, 2024, the Kingsville Police Department (KPD), in collaboration with the United States Border Patrol Kingsville Station, successfully apprehended a fugitive from justice, Demetrio Morales, a 27-year-old male with active warrants for Murder and Aggravated Assault out of Harris County, Texas.

The incident began when a KPD officer attempted a traffic stop on a Ford F-150 traveling southbound on Highway 77. The vehicle fled, ultimately driving through ranch property near Riviera before striking a tree. The driver abandoned the vehicle, later identified as stolen from Houston, and fled on foot into the surrounding brush.

Several hours later, U.S. Border Patrol agents contacted KPD after locating a male walking through the brush. A KPD officer responded and confirmed that the individual was the driver of the stolen vehicle. Initially refusing to identify himself, the suspect was transported to Kleberg County Jail, where he ultimately identified himself as Demetrio Morales and admitted he was "on the run."

In addition to the outstanding warrants from Harris County, Morales is currently being held in Kleberg County Jail on charges of Failure to Identify–Fugitive from Justice. Additional charges, including Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Evading Arrest, will be filed.