Theft Suspect Arrested After High-Speed Chase from Ulta Beauty in Valley Ranch, Linked to Multiple Retail Thefts

NEW CANEY, TX -- Deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, East Command, arrested a theft suspect following a pursuit that started at the Ulta Beauty store in the Valley Ranch shopping center.

At approximately 4:00 PM, store management informed law enforcement about an ongoing theft, reporting that a male suspect was seen concealing items in the store as the suspect exited and fled the scene in a blue BMW.

Responding deputies quickly located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. However, the suspect did not comply, leading to a vehicle chase on US Highway 59. Officers from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Montgomery County Constables Office Precinct 4, and the Texas Department of Public Safety joined the pursuit.

The chase came to an end in the 23000 block of the US 59 feeder road when DPS Troopers utilized a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) to safely stop the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Stephen Price from Houston, TX, was taken into custody and charged with Theft and Felony Evading. Deputies recovered the stolen items from Ulta Beauty, along with additional stolen merchandise linked to the suspect. Further investigation revealed that Price was also connected to a retail theft incident that occurred in The Woodlands and New Caney.

The successful apprehension of the suspect was a coordinated effort, and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office thanks the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety for their quick and effective response during the pursuit.