Two Beaumont men accused of trying to pass off tortillas as crack indicted for aggravated robbery

Two Beaumont men accused of trying to pass off flour tortillas as crack cocaine, then refusing to give refunds, were indicted on charges of aggravated robbery Thursday.

On Jan. 12, an informant working with the Jefferson County Narcotics Unit agreed to purchase "cookies" of crack cocaine in the Beaumont Home Depot parking lot from a man known as "Fats," according to court documents.

After entering the vehicle, which police accuse 20-year-old Dennis Payne Cleaver of driving, the informant pointed out that the narcotics were in actuality flour tortillas.

"Defendant pointed a gun at him and rather politely suggested he get out of the car, declining to refund him the $2,000," court documents state.

As the vehicle attempted to drive away, law enforcement officers pursued it in their vehicles, according to court documents. The driver hit a police vehicle, then drove down Pinkston Street, hitting the same police vehicle several more times before stopping at the Village shopping center.

Cleaver, whom police claim is "Fats," faces up to life in prison on the aggravated robbery charge and up to two years on a charge of evading arrest.

A passenger in the vehicle, 17-year-old Terrance Jamal Jones, also was also indicted on an aggravated robbery charge.

Also this week, a Port Arthur man was indicted on a charge of intoxication manslaughter.

Jeffery Paul Schroeder, 46, is accused of striking Darylene Joseph Lewis, 54, while he was standing on the side of the road near the 1200 block of Jefferson Drive in Port Arthur.

Schroeder faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.