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Local Resident Fights Back Against Alleged Carjacker Save Email Print
Reporter: Kristen Ross
Email Address: ross@kbtx.com

A | A | A

A Madisonville resident fought back after he says a man and a woman tried to carjack him about a mile from his home.

It was an evening Mike Woycheshin will never forget. On Saturday, the Madisonville resident was on his way to a wedding when he came upon a car sideways in the southbound lane at the intersection of Old State Highway 75 and Spur 104, where a man was bent over in the street.

"I proceeded, got close to the car, and rolled my window down six inches," said Madisonville Resident Mike Woycheshin. "The man was in the road as if he was crippled or had been hurt. He jumped up and stuck a 38 mm gun in my face through the window and said, 'you white so and so get out of the car. I want the car.'"

Woycheshin says he then leaned back in his seat, stepped hard on the gas, and called 911.

Only minutes later while driving past the same intersection, about a mile from his home, Woycheshin says he was shocked to see the same car up to the same routine.

"I was very irritated when I went back and saw him in the spot. I didn't want the individual to get away," Woycheshin said.

Madison County Sheriff Dan Douget says the suspects recognized Woycheshin's vehicle.

"Whenever they saw him they fled, he followed them and he called his stepson and the stepson came out," Douget said.

Woycheshin then proceeded to follow the vehicle, and the chase began.

Woycheshin says the pursuit continued down back roads in the area until the two suspects in the car came to a dead end, abandoned their vehicle, and fled on foot. Woycheshin says he remained on the phone with 911 to let them know his location.

"It dead ended into a field and he waited until police got there," Douget said. "His stepson then went back to Highway 90 and observed them coming out of the woods, and at the point had a weapon with him and held them at gunpoint until the police officers got there."

David Ray Bratcher, 21, and Tara Vatrice Pitts, 18, both of Houston were arrested.

Local law enforcement say they weren't the only ones interested in questioning the two.

"Their car was reported as stolen and so apparently they are involved in something else in the Houston area, and so the Houston police department is investigating that part of it," Douget said.

The Madison County Sheriff's Office says David Bratcher is wanted in Houston for attempted murder, several counts of carjacking and one count of kidnapping. Bratcher was out on parole. No bond has been set.

Tara Pitts was released Monday afternoon on a $30,000 bond.

Officials say both face charges of attempted aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.

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Posted by: Johnny Location: Nacogdochrs, Tx. on Jun 20, 2007 at 09:20 AM
One riot, one ranger. Good job Ranger Ron!!!!

Posted by: Brian Parker Location: Houston on Jun 19, 2007 at 12:08 PM
This just shoes that gun control would put the bad guys in control. Kudos to these good men for their bravery. Just think if the next to be stopped would have been someone much more vulnerable?

Posted by: Rex Russell Location: Henderson,Tx on Jun 18, 2007 at 10:08 PM
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS! GOOD JOB RON!

Posted by: Al Location: Richmond, tx on Jun 16, 2007 at 12:15 PM
They should have shot the thives when they had the chance. I know what it is like to be a victim of a violet crime, and don't intend to be a victim again. Consider me armed and dangeous if you are a thief, crook, or whatever.

Posted by: Steve Location: PA on Jun 14, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Good story. As far as Jeff's comments, we don't know all the circumstancesas to why he went back through the same spot etc. Nonetheless, considering it probably was a fairly rural area, law enforcement is not just around the corner. It's nice to see a story with citizens and law officers working together for once!

Posted by: Abigail Location: Houston on Jun 14, 2007 at 06:53 AM
First of all I know the individual. He is not racist so we should play the race card. And why did the man go back to investigate. I thought he was going to a wedding. It seems like he was looking for trouble.Why would you follow someone who just allegedly tried to rob you. It doesn't make sense to me. Anyways this is a horrible thing that happened. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I hope David asks God to forgive him and guide through his trials he is facing. Who are we to judge?

Posted by: dave Location: Kentucky on Jun 13, 2007 at 09:25 PM
!!!WOW!!! A 38mm handgun!!!! Where do I get one of those????Talk about a hand cannon......................

Posted by: JimSachsen Location: Houston on Jun 13, 2007 at 08:43 PM
Makes me proud to be a Texan.

Posted by: Angela on Jun 13, 2007 at 06:32 PM
Ummm yeah I think you meant 38 Cal not 38 MM handgun other then that great story.

Posted by: Barry Location: Whitesboro on Jun 13, 2007 at 06:10 PM
"You white so and so" ??? That sounds like a hate crime. Fortunately these brave citizens did more to make the world safe then most police forces and judges. Kudos!

Posted by: James Location: Penna. on Jun 13, 2007 at 04:43 PM
Mikes cool head probably saved his life, and possibly the lives of other citizens

Posted by: Tom on Jun 13, 2007 at 03:43 PM
Great story I'm Glad that there still people with guts to stand up and do the right thing we can't count on others to protect us. this is what Americans have done thoughtout our history. I think people our getting tired being Victims. DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO.

Posted by: George A. Srur Location: Sioux Falls, SD on Jun 13, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Excellent coverage! Thanks for presenting news in such a fair minded manner...All civilians who carry handguns are not criminals! Good work.

Posted by: jeff Location: Ohio on Jun 13, 2007 at 07:00 AM
Lets see, he was on his way to a wedding, almost got car jacked and went through the same intersection again minutes later? Must have been a quick wedding.He then engaged in a pursuit of the vehicle driven by an armed individual.I fully believe we have the right to defend ourselves, but to return to the scene of an attempted car jacking minutes later and then engage in a vehicle pursuit is just plain STUPID!Im just glad everyone does not have this same mentality.

Posted by: Carolyn Location: Bedias on Jun 13, 2007 at 12:26 AM
Thanks for catching these criminals, somebody could have gotten killed except for the quick thinking of Mr. Woycheshin.I don't know why people think just because we live in the country we are dumb enough to fall for a trick like that.

Posted by: christina Location: 2130 hwy 90s on Jun 12, 2007 at 09:52 AM
I would like to write thank you to Mr Woycheshin and his stepson for catching these criminals,if it was not for them someone could have realy gotten hurt. Thank yal for keeping Madisonville safe.

Posted by: jen Location: bryan on Jun 12, 2007 at 07:57 AM
This is a great story. They probably would have done it to someone else in a matter of hours. However, these 2 will undoubtedly file some kind of charges on the Woycheshin family for holding them @ gunpoint until officials arrived. With the Grace of God, and maybe a good judge, nothing will come of it though. They deserved to be caught by whoever and by whatever means neccessary.

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