Katy man arrested for car theft in Fayette County

FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas — A 22-year-old Katy, Texas, man was arrested early Wednesday morning on suspicion of auto theft in Fayette County, authorities said.

According to Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek, Jonathan Lee Ritchie was arrested around 4:20 a.m. at an Energy Transfer facility near Warda.

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The arrest was made following an incident reported at 3:57 a.m. in which a suspicious person was banging on the door of a residence on U.S. Highway 77. When Deputy Fowler arrived on the scene, the suspect had fled, but the homeowner's vehicle had been broken into, the rear window smashed, and items were scattered around the property. Blood was found on napkins and around the area surrounding the vehicle.

Officers searching the area received a tip about a white male matching the suspect's description being at the Energy Transfer facility. Ritchie was arrested there and was believed to have been in possession of items stolen from the broken-in vehicle.

After EMS cleared Ritchie, he was arrested and charged with grand theft auto. Additional charges are pending, Sheriff Korenek said.

La Grange police assisted in the arrest. The investigation is ongoing.