City of Grapeland Police Department

06/03/2026

On June 2, 2026 at approximately 1:00 PM, Lieutenant Bateman conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of U.S. Highway 287. K-9 Ranger was deployed for an open-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the odor of narcotics. A subsequent search resulted in the arrest of Jacoby Christopher for Possession of Ma*****na, More Than 2 Ounces but Less Than 4 Ounces, a Class A Misdemeanor.

At approximately 3:50 PM, Chief Bishop and Lieutenant Bateman conducted a warrant service within the City of Grapeland. Jason Whitt was taken into custody on outstanding warrants for Terroristic Threat, Interference with an Emergency Request for Assistance, and Assault Family Violence – Impeding Breath/Circulation.

Both individuals were taken into custody without incident.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

05/20/2026

🚨🐾 LOST FRENCHIE – PLEASE HELP US FIND HER 🐾🚨

The Grapeland Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing tan French Bulldog.

If you have seen this dog or have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact:

📞 903-373-4976
📞 903-922-4008

Please share this post to help bring her home safely to her family.

05/09/2026

During the evening of May 8, 2026, Lt Bateman and K-9 Ranger responded to assist a neighboring law enforcement agency in another county.

During the deployment, K-9 Ranger conducted an open-air sniff of a vehicle and alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics. A subsequent search resulted in the recovery of narcotics.

K-9 Ranger continues to serve as a valuable asset through his training, reliability, and effectiveness in assisting with narcotics detection and law enforcement operations.

The Grapeland Police Department values the strong partnerships between neighboring agencies and remains ready to assist whenever needed in support of public safety.

05/08/2026

🚔 COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE HELPS REUNITE MISSING CAT WITH FAMILY 🚔

Yesterday, the Grapeland Police Department responded to a report of a missing family cat. During the investigation, officers reviewed video footage and gathered information related to the case.

Later, additional witnesses contacted police after locating a cat matching the description on their porch. The individuals who located the cat are considered witnesses only and are not believed to be involved in the original incident. The cat was safely reunited with its family.

This incident highlights how citizens can make a difference through their help, support, and cooperation with law enforcement. Working together helps us investigate incidents and solve crimes within our community.

We appreciate everyone who assisted in bringing this situation to a positive outcome.

05/04/2026

🚔🐾 K-9 Ranger Joins Grapeland PD 🐾

The Grapeland Police Department is proud to announce the addition of K-9 Ranger, partnered with Lt. Bateman.

Ranger is a dual-purpose police K-9, trained in narcotics detection, tracking, and suspect apprehension, and will serve as a valuable asset in protecting our community.

Lt. Bateman and Ranger recently completed six weeks of intensive training with Saber Working Dogs, LLC, building the control, discipline, and teamwork required for real-world deployments. The team meets high, nationally recognized standards for certification and reliability expected of law enforcement K-9 units.

This program was made possible through a grant funded by the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC), along with generous support and donations from our community. We are grateful for the investment in public safety that made this program possible.

⚠️ Important Reminder:
K-9 Ranger is a working police dog. While he may look friendly, he is trained for law enforcement duties. When you see him out with Lt. Bateman, please do not approach, pet, or attempt to interact with him so he can remain focused on his job.

We’re proud to have Ranger on the team and look forward to the impact he will make serving the City of Grapeland.

04/22/2026

04/17/2026

Investigator Carly Foster also serves the Grapeland Police Department in a part-time capacity and assists with investigations such as this.

Strong work by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office on this case.

04/14/2026

We would like to thank the dispatchers at the Houston County Sheriff’s Office for everything they do each and every day.

As the first to answer the call, you are a vital link between our officers and the community. Your professionalism and dedication do not go unnoticed.

Grapeland Police Department is grateful for your service and proud to work alongside you.

Thank you for all that you do.

We would like to wish our dispatchers Happy Telecommunicators Week. The work they do to keep the information flowing to our areas first responders is crucial for our jobs to get done. Thank you for the work you do everyday!!

Sheriff Zak Benge

04/04/2026

Rain didn’t stop the fun today at the Egg-stravaganza at Grapeland City Park!

Even with the downpour, the turnout was incredible and the community showed up in full force. Events like this remind us what makes Grapeland such a great place.

A huge shoutout to everyone who worked hard behind the scenes to make this event happen. Your effort and dedication did not go unnoticed, and you made a lot of smiles possible today despite the cruddy weather!

We were proud to be there and be part of such a great community event.

03/27/2026

The Grapeland Police Department is warning residents about fraudulent text messages claiming to be from courts or law enforcement regarding “default judgments,” unpaid tolls, or traffic violations.

We’ve recently seen messages like the one below circulating, and they are NOT legitimate. These toll and parking violation scams are extremely common right now.

Here’s how you can spot the scam:

🚩 Random text from an unknown number
Courts do NOT handle legal matters via text, especially from an out-of-state number. Official notices come by certified mail or in person.

🚩 Legal inaccuracies
You cannot be pulled into court through a text message. Legal proceedings require proper service. A “default judgment” doesn’t just happen without that process.

🚩 Pressure tactics
Messages pushing “IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED” or threatening consequences are designed to make you panic and act fast without thinking.

🚩 QR code for payment
No legitimate court will ask you to scan a QR code from a text to pay fines. That’s a major red flag for fraud.

🚩 Your phone warns you
If your phone flags the message as spam, it usually is.

🛑 What you should do if you get one of these messages:

• Do NOT scan the QR code
• Do NOT click any links or reply
• Report it by forwarding the message to 7726 (SPAM)

When you report it:
✔️ Your carrier investigates the number
✔️ Scam links can be flagged or taken down
✔️ Fraud campaigns can be shut down faster

Most people ignore scam texts, which allows scammers to keep targeting thousands of others. Reporting doesn’t just protect you; it helps stop the entire scam wave.

If you’re unsure about a message you received, reach out to us. We’re here to help.

Stay safe and stay alert.