East Texas Man Charged with Kidnapping after Standoff

FRUITVALE � A lengthy standoff with law officers in Van Zandt County had a safe and successful conclusion when a man wanted for kidnapping surrendered to authorities. Taken into custody was Robert L Walker, 37, of Fruitvale. The incident occurred early Saturday morning at 406 Van Zandt County Road 1919, just east of Fruitvale.

The incident began early Saturday morning when the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a woman who said she and another woman said they were being held against their will at gun point. She told officers the suspect, Walker, was under the influence of Methamphetamines and that every time she tried to leave, Walker would point a rifle at her and threaten to kill her. She finally was able to escape through a bed room window.

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Unit, with the assistance of numerous local, state and federal law enforcement officers, surrounded the house. After a lengthy standoff, Walker surrendered without incident when the tactical unit made use of an M-RAP, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, one of the highly controversial armored vehicles on loan to the local sheriff’s office from the US Military.

During the stand-off a felony arrest warrant was issued for Walker and search warrant was subsequently issued to search the residence by State District Court Judge Teresa Drum in Canton. During the execution of the search warrant, deputies discovered drugs, including Methamphetamines, drug paraphernalia and weapons, including a .243 caliber rifle equipped with laser sights an assortment of long blade knives and ammunition.

Walker was transported to the Van Zandt County Justice Center in Canton where he was confined for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm and kidnapping. Walker remains in the Van Zandt County Jail pending arraignment.