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Local Resident Fights Back Against Alleged Carjacker
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Posted: 8:08 PM Jun 11, 2007
Last Updated: 10:37 PM Jun 11, 2007
Reporter: Kristen Ross
Email Address: ross@kbtx.com

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.