Bank fraud schemes are becoming distressingly common, but a pair of suspects recently learned the hard way that crime does not pay. On June 14, a call about a suspicious forgery operation at a local Capital One Bank on FM 1960 Road had Constable Mark Herman's deputies scrambling to the scene.

As they arrived, a suspect vehicle was seen hastily leaving the area. When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver pushed on, leading authorities on a brief chase. Eventually, the vehicle was halted on Eagle Glide Drive, and its driver, Damaris Valero, was taken into custody.

The case took an unexpected turn when the man who initially reported being forced into committing bank fraud turned out to be part of the scheme. According to Constable Mark Herman's Facebook post, this individual, identified as James Stegall, had claimed coercion. However, the claim fell apart under the scrutiny of further investigation.

"They were arrested and booked into the Harris Count Jail. Damaris Valero was charged with Felony Evading. Her bond was set at $7,500.00 out of the 482nd District Court. James Stegall was charged with Forgery of a Government Document and is awaiting bond out of the 351st District Court," read the statement from Herman's office. So far, there's no word on a court date for the accused.