Fugitive on the Run Plays a Game with the Law he was Destined to Lose

Suspect Facing 8 Felony Charges Captured

San Antonio, TX – Zachary Whiteside, 35, was arrested last night by members of the United States Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) in San Antonio, TX. An arrest warrant was issued pursuant to an investigation by the Live Oak Police Department (LOPD), where it is alleged that Whiteside violated the conditions of his bond release that were associated with 8 felony charges.

On June 15, 2015, members of the LSFTF were contacted by officers from the LOPD to assist in searching for Whiteside in San Antonio. Members of the LSFTF immediately initiated an investigation in locating and apprehending Whiteside. Last night, through investigative efforts, task force officers determined that Whiteside was hiding out in an apartment located in the 1400 block of North East Interstate Loop 410, on the northeast side of San Antonio. Task force officers entered the apartment, identified themselves, made contact with Whiteside, and took him into custody without incident. Nicole Leedy, 33, was also present and was taken into custody for having an active arrest warrant for drug possession on a separate case. Subsequent to the arrests, Whiteside was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and may face additional charges.

On June 11, 2015, a warrant was issued for Whiteside’s arrest sometime after being released on bond with electronic monitoring. Reports stated that Whiteside allegedly violated the conditions of his bond, because he cut off his ankle monitor and absconded from supervision. Whiteside has been facing 8 felony charges that stem back to November 2014 involving 4 counts of drug possession, tampering with evidence, evading arrest, assault on a public servant, and attempt to disarm a police officer. Since then, Whiteside has managed to evade arrest on multiple occasions and was a fugitive at large until he was taken into custody by task force officers last night.

Whiteside is currently being held in custody at the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, states, “Each day our task force officers perform the mission of enforcing the law with dignity, pride, and self-gratitude. When a fugitive such as Whiteside blatantly violates the law and runs from police as if to play a game, that fuels our task force officers to work harder, hunt longer, and investigate deeper until the arrest is made.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force:

    New Braunfels Police Department

    San Antonio Police Department

    San Antonio Independent School District Police Department

    Bexar County Sheriff’s Office

    Comal County Sheriff’s Office

    Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office

    Bexar County District Attorney’s Office

    Texas Office of The Attorney General

    Texas Department of Public Safety

    Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General

    Immigration & Customs Enforcement – Office of Detention & Removal

    U.S. Marshals Service