Suspect’s kidnapping hoax call led to spring break scare on The Strand in Galveston • Plano man busted out windows, tried to run away from deputies while being escorted at county jail A Plano man was in the Galveston County Jail on Thursday (3/14/2024) after a bizarre series of events that led police to swarm downtown Galveston on Wednesday. The incident had people running for cover, hunkering down in stores, and causing a general panic. Galveston Police said that William Chase Sink called to report that he and a friend were looking for their girlfriends who had been kidnapped. It was untrue, as police later found out. At the same time, some people on The Strand reported a man in a ski mask and all-black clothing on the roof of a building pointing what appeared to be a firearm. After police cleared the streets, officers searched the building known as Old Galveston Square, which is also home to the popular game spot Axecade. There, officers found Sink, who matched the suspect's description described by witnesses. As they approached him, Sink took off from police and resisted being taken into custody. He also busted out several windows of the building, sustaining cuts to his hands. He was able to escape custody and get out of the building. He ran onto 23rd Street between Mechanic and Strand, where officers swarmed and wrestled him to the ground. Because he was being combative after his arrest, Galveston police deployed it's wrap system to safely secure Sink. The system, which uses straps, safe bindings and a bicycle helmet is deployed when suspects become combative. Sink had to be tied down on a gurney and a helmet placed on his head in order for paramedics to take him to the emergency center at UTMB Health’s John Sealy Hospital. Police made contact with the two women Sink claimed had been kidnapped, and they told authorities they had never been taken against their will. Police also didn’t find any evidence of gunfire or a firearm of any sort. Sink, who police said appeared to be under the influence of some type of drug, was eventually released from the hospital and booked into the Galveston County Jail. He is charged with two counts of felony aggravated assault. Sink also has an additional charge of escaping custody, said Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Jail Supervisor Major Kevin Walker. Sink, while being escorted to magistrate court on Thursday, took off down a hall in an ill-conceived escape attempt. He was apprehended and placed in an isolated cell. Because Sink did not make it to magistrate court, a bond was not set as of Thursday afternoon. The recommended bonds for the aggravated assault are likely to total $200,000.

Posted by i45NOW TJ Aulds at 2024-03-14 20:58:43 UTC