MANSFIELD — A Texas man was taken into custody Saturday morning in connection with a dead body found in a car at 424 Woodridge Drive in Mansfield, according to the Mansfield Police Department.
Dequalan Dejaun Harris, of Cedar Hill, Texas, is charged with Obstructing Official Business, Resisting Arrest, and Abuse of a Corpse, Mansfield Police reported.
Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz said his department was contacted at approximately 12:13 a.m. Saturday morning and asked to check a residence for a woman reported missing from the Cedar Hill, Texas, jurisdiction. Officers located the missing woman’s vehicle parked in front of 424 Woodridge Drive.
“Officers made contact with a male subject at the residence who advised that he had not seen the missing female since Thursday, when he picked up a child at her residence in Texas,” Coontz said in the department’s press release. “While speaking with the male subject, he was advised that Cedar Hill (Texas) Police Department wanted him detained at which time a struggle ensued as he fought with officers and attempted to run away.
“After a short foot pursuit and taser deployment, the male subject was taken into custody.”
According to Coontz, while the vehicle was being towed, officers opened the rear compartment area of the vehicle and located a dead woman inside.
The Richland County Coroner and Richland County Prosecutor’s Office were then called and the Mansfield Police Crime Lab processed the scene. Coontz noted the Richland County Corner’s office took control of the body, which has yet to be positively identified. An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death.
The investigation is ongoing and in collaboration with the Cedar Hill (Texas) Police Department.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Major Crimes Sergeant Matt Loughman 419-755-9761 or Detective David Scheurer at 419-755-9748.
