3 teenagers arrested for organized criminal activity after high-speed chase, stolen cars recovered

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, Texas ( KETK ) – Three teenagers were arrested for organized criminal activity after a high-speed pursuit that led to the recovery of several stolen vehicles.

Officers booked 19-year-old Malachi Dorch of Pearland, 17-year-old Holland Smith of Marshall and 19-year-old Jarrell Lamar Handford of Lewisville into the Nacogdoches County Jail.

Dorch, who was reportedly the driver who led police on a high speed chase on Thursday morning, is charged with three third-degree felonies for engaging in organized criminal activity and a Class A misdemeanor evading arrest. Smith is facing three third-degree felonies for engaging in organized criminal activity. Handford is charged with four third-degree felonies for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and engaging in organized criminal activity.

Authorities said the pursuit started in the 3000 block of North Street around 8 a.m. when a patrol deputy saw a 2023 Chevrolet Camaro with obscured paper tags nearly hit another vehicle in an attempt to change lanes. The driver, who authorities identified as Dorch, sped north of U.S. 59, then onto U.S. 259, at one point was reportedly clocked going as fast as 143 mph.

The Camaro sped through the Central Heights school zone and the Cushing school zone as the driver tried to escape using county roads, ending up on CR 878. According to the local sheriff’s office, the driver tried to hide the vehicle in a hay barn and ran away from the scene.

While authorities searched for the suspect with a K9 unit, they say a green 2014 Chevrolet Corvette slowly drove through the area.

“When deputies attempted to stop that vehicle, the driver tried to leave the scene,” according to the sheriff’s office. “As the driver attempted to leave, he collided with a patrol unit and became stuck and the driver and passenger were taken into custody.”

Dorch was later found in the 700 block of CR 878 and reportedly surrendered to deputies at 11:20 a.m.

NCSO investigators interviewed the suspects and learned there was a third stolen car, a 2024 Chevrolet Camaro, parked in a local parking garage that had been reported stolen out of Austin. The investigation is ongoing.

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