Thirty-two-year-old Blake Everett Reed, a former Wood County resident, was apprehended without incident in Cayucos, California Sunday with local, state and federal law enforcement officials, including the Wood County, Texas, Pct. 2 constable, taking part.

The 6’5”, 290-pound Reed was placed on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives two weeks ago. He was wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault of a public servant, assault, harassment of a public servant and evading arrest. The listing urged caution, warning he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Reed lived in Mineola, attending school for some time in the Mineola School District. He had also lived in Hawkins.  

Wood County Pct. 2 Constable Kelly Smith said the apprehension of Reed occurred after nine months of investigation and cooperation among the different agencies. Smith said he utilized contacts gained through former training and associates across the country to track Reed down “across from Texas to Iowa and finally corner him at his parents residence in San Luis Obispo County, California.”

Smith said after hours of surveillance over the course of the investigation, he arrived in San Luis Obispo County with that county’s sheriff’s office narcotics and gang unit. Reed had over $750,000 of bonds on warrants out of Wood County.

The DPS Most Wanted Fugitives website states Reed’s lengthy criminal history includes an alleged assault in September 2016 of a woman in Wood County. He was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple felonies by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was released on bond several days later. He has been wanted since May 2017 by the WCSO for multiple warrants.

“The cooperation with agencies in this case was the most important aspect to glen from its success. The California team recognized the persistence and dedication of Texas law enforcement to bring a wanted criminal back to Texas,” Smith said. He said the first person he informed of the apprehension was Wood County Sheriff Tom Castloo.

Smith said on Monday Reed will face an extradition hearing in California and will await transport to Wood County. Smith pointed out the apprehension of Reed did not cost the county taxpayers any money as he paid for his own travel expenses.