Officers shoot, wound EMC robbery suspect

Law enforcement investigators take notes at the scene of a police-involved shooting near the intersection of Old Sorters Road and FM 1314 Sunday night in Porter.

By Howard Roden
Updated: 03.08.10
EAST COUNTY – A string of robberies along Loop 494 in the Kingwood and Porter areas Sunday evening led to a police chase and a shooting that wounded the suspect.

Houston police officers received a call for a robbery in progress around 8:15 p.m. Sunday at the Stop-n-Gas in the 22300 block of Loop 494 in Kingwood.

According to Houston PD Public Information Officer John Cannon, the suspect then allegedly robbed a Citgo in the 24000 block of Loop 494 in Montgomery County.

Then, in the 27000 block of Loop 494, a Houston patrol officer heard gunshots from yet another location of an attempted robbery. The suspect reportedly fired his weapon at all three robbery locations.

The pursuit, which covered around 10 miles, started down FM 1314 to Old Sorters Road, then around to Sorters Road and back onto FM 1314. The suspect reportedly fired at officers during the pursuit, striking one police vehicle in the front bumper.

The chase continued toward U.S. 59 when the suspect allegedly lost control of a Ford Excursion, which struck an advertising sign pole.

Cannon said officers told the suspect to exit the vehicle with his hands up. However, he said, the officers heard a shot and saw the suspect with a gun in his hand. Officers fired at the suspect, wounding him.

The suspect was transported to Ban Taub Hospital in Houston, where he was listed in stable condition with non-threatening injuries.

While the suspect’s identity was not released, Cannon said he is a 26-year-old East Montgomery County resident.

At least four HPD units were involved in the chase. Three officers reportedly discharged their weapons. At least 12 shell casings were on the ground at the scene. The intersection remained closed throughout the night Sunday and into the early morning hours Monday as law enforcement conducted the investigation.

The officers were placed on three days’ leave, which is standard, and Cannon said the administrative leave is not a punishment.

He credited the quick response of Houston police officers with preventing further threats to the community.

Law enforcement recovered a pistol that was believed to be used by the suspect in the robbery.

No officers or civilians were injured in the incident.

“Given his (suspect’s) dangerous behavior, we were fortunate that no one was injured,” Cannon said.

Cannon said the district attorney’s offices from Harris and Montgomery counties were discussing what charges to file against the man.

The Texas Rangers are the lead investigators in the case.

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