Two Suspects Arrested for Stealing a Vehicle, One Most Wanted

Sunday afternoon, while people were celebrating the day of love, San Angelo Police officers were sent to assist the Department of Public Safety with a vehicle pursuit coming into town from Grape Creek at 2:55 p.m. Although San Angelo Police were not actively involved in the pursuit, officers did assist in setting up a perimeter and locating the suspects when the pursuit ended in the parking lot of Firestone in the 4300 block of Southwest Blvd., said Sgt. Cade Solsbery, public information officer for SAPD.

Solsbery said the suspects, 22-year-old Philip Lafleur and 21-year-old Candice Vidrine, fled on foot toward the old Kmart parking lot. Both Lafleur and Vidrine were located hiding in a drainage ditch. They were taken without incident.

“After being taken into custody, a handgun was located on Lafleur’s person. A second handgun belonging to Lafleur was located on the ground nearby,” said Solsbery.

Officials also learned the vehicle, a black 2003 Ford F-150, the suspects had been operating during the pursuit had been stolen from the parking lot of 614 W. 29^th St. shortly before the pursuit began. Contact was made with the owner of the vehicle, and returned.

Lafleur and Vidrine were transported to the Tom Green County Jail. Vidrine was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Lafleur was charged with Evading in a Motor Vehicle, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Lafleur also had outstanding warrants, and was recently listed on San Angelo LIVE! this weekend on San Angelo’s Most Wanted Sex Offenders. Click here to read that story.

Solsbery said DPS filed the Evading in a Motor Vehicle charge and SAPD filed the remaining charges.