West University Place Police officers apprehended two suspects early Wednesday morning, January 15, following a Virtual Gate alert for a stolen U-Haul vehicle in the 5300 block of Sewanee.
At approximately 2:07 a.m., officers located the vehicle and conducted a high-risk traffic stop, detaining the driver and passenger without incident. A search of the vehicle revealed various drugs, stolen mail, and identifying information belonging to other individuals.
The driver was identified as Dannan Doeden, while the passenger, initially providing a false name, was later identified as Tara Sturgeon. Both suspects were found to have outstanding warrants and were taken into custody.
Doeden was charged with auto theft and possession of a controlled substance, while Sturgeon also faced charges for possession of a controlled substance. Additional charges are pending further investigation.
Doeden’s criminal history in Harris County includes prior charges of theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle, evading arrest, possession of a controlled substance, aggravated assault-family member, and fraud-possession of identifying information.
Sturgeon’s record includes charges of theft (aggregate), possession of a controlled substance, fraud-possession of identifying information, and fraudulent destruction.
The investigation is ongoing.
