McLennan County, Texas | Arrests for murder and aggravated assault

MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas – The McLennan County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of three people accused of “ramming on the highway,” killing one person and “brutally beating” another.

The Beltran brothers, Christopher and Matthew, and Micha Harris were booked into the McLennan County Jail on Thursday, August 22. Christopher Beltran and Harris are charged with murder and aggravated robbery. Matthew Beltran is charged with tampering with evidence. According to the sheriff's office, the Beltran brothers are both members of the Crips gang.

According to the sheriff's office, the Beltrans and Harris went to a convenience store in Hewitt late at night on July 28. Matthew Beltran allegedly stayed in the getaway car while his brother and Harris went into the store armed. After the clerk gave them all of his money, the two “brutally beat” him and drove away, authorities said.

The three then drove down I-35 to a rest area in Elm Mott. There, officials said, they killed the clerk in what the sheriff's office called an “execution killing.” The clerk, Dipak Oli, left behind a wife and child.

The sheriff's office said both victims were “innocent” and did not know the Beltrans or Harris.

Harris and the Beltrans were arrested for the “crime spree” after a four-week investigation by the McLennan County Sheriff's Office, Hewitt Police Department, Waco Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Anti-Gang Unit. The “breakthrough” came when authorities conducted a raid using three search warrants.

The two Beltran citizens were arrested by several authorities between the murder and the raid.

The coalition of law enforcement agencies thanked the public for sharing information that led to the arrests.

The McLennan County Sheriff's Office said the investigation is still ongoing.

The coalition of law enforcement agencies said during its press conference that it wanted the public to know that it would “never leave these criminals alone” and that their “horrific, soulless and sick acts” would continue.

“It affects us all,” said one MP.

You can watch the press conference here.