Nicolas Maddalena, 19, of Rowlett was arrested Monday Jan. 24 on charges of cruelty to livestock, tampering with evidence, evading arrest with a motor vehicle and criminal mischief.
Deputy Steward was on patrol for the Hopkins County Sheriff ’s Office and received a call from communications in reference to animal cruelty in the area of FM 900. Communications advised that a caller had stated they reportedly observed a silver Kia sedan stop in front of their property and heard several gunshots before the vehicle sped off.
The caller also stated that after the vehicle left, they had reportedly observed one of their cows lying on the ground and appeared to have been shot. The caller further advised that they had begun to follow the vehicle as they contacted the sheriff ’s office.
While deputies were responding, Saltillo ISD Police Officer 6001 advised that he would check the area. The officer reportedly located the suspect vehicle on Hwy 67 headed East towards Sulphur Springs. Officer 6001 activated his emergency lights in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop for investigative purposes. Deputy Steward advised communications that they were in the area of FM 69 overpass and was going to engage in the pursuit.
As the pursuit approached the Motel 6, a DPS Trooper exited the interstate and took the lead. The vehicle reportedly turned onto Jefferson Street and continued to flee towards Lundy then turned on Lundy towards College Street. Three suspects allegedly bailed out of the vehicle and began fleeing on foot. The three suspects were shortly caught and two of them were reportedly juveniles. Deputy Fite and Deputy Steward took the juveniles into custody and transported them to the squad room for processing.
Deputy Lester remained with the vehicle and conducted an inventory searching for a firearm but was unable to locate it. It is believed the firearm was thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit but it was not located. Inside the vehicle was reportedly a box of .38 handgun ammunition. Once the juveniles were processed, they were transported to the Gregg County Juvenile Facility in Longview.
After further investigation, after Maddalena was advised of his rights, he allegedly admitted to being the driver of the vehicle during the pursuit.
After speaking with the caller, it was advised that the livestock had died due to injuries sustained from the gunshots.
Maddalena also had three Rockwall County warrants, one for burglary of vehicles and two for theft of a firearm. Bond was set at $27,000.