Willis Man Arrested After Evading Police

WILLIS, TX — A 19-year-old Willis man was arrested Monday after he escaped police custody while being arrested on an assault charge. Kevon Shon Thornton is being held at the Montgomery County Jail without bond on assault family violence, escaping custody, and an outstanding felony warrant for sexual assault of a child.

According to a press release, Willis Police responded to an assault call on Magnolia Ridge at about 4 p.m. Monday. When police arrived, they were told Thornton had fled and was hiding out at an apartment in the Cricket Hollow apartment complex.

When they got to the apartment, police found Thornton hiding under a bed and was quickly restrained and handcuffed.

While he was in custody and being escorted to the patrol unit, police learned Thornton had an active warrant for sexual assault on a child. Before he could be placed in the car, Thornton escaped from officers and fled on foot while he was still handcuffed.

Police called for other agencies to help in the search for Thornton and were alerted that someone at the Cricket Hollow apartments had seen a man fitting Thornton’s description being helped over a fence.

An hour later, police found Thornton hiding behind a home on Canyon Court. Thornton refused to surrender and a Montgomery County K9 Officer was used to convince him to surrender. Police said Thornton tried to run and was caught by the K9 officer.

Thornton suffered several puncture wounds from the dog bite and was taken to Conroe Regional Hospital for treatment, before going to the Montgomery County Jail.

Police said Thornton was able to get his handcuffs in front of him and lost his shoes as he ran into a creek bed. He also tried to change his appearance by removing the braids in his hair.

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com