by | Published
TOM GREEN COUNTY, TX – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), with assistance from the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, has arrested a man following a pursuit that ended in Mertzon this week. The suspect, Shelby Chappell, 30, of Big Lake, was wanted for assaulting a customer at his wife’s workplace in San Angelo and violating a protective order.
On July 30, 2025, at the request of the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, the DPS Aircraft Operations Division (AOD) dispatched a helicopter to assist in locating Chappell, who had fled the scene of the assault.
The DPS aircrew quickly located a vehicle matching Chappell’s description heading west on US-67 toward Mertzon. The helicopter provided real-time updates to DPS Troopers and Tom Green County Sheriff’s Deputies on the ground. A 12-mile vehicle pursuit ensued, which ended when Chappell stopped and was taken into custody without incident.
Chappell was charged with assault and violation of a protective order and was booked into the Tom Green County Jail.
DPS stated that the joint effort reflects the strong partnership and collaboration between local and state law enforcement agencies.
