Man on 'meth binge' allegedly steals police car in Texas and tries to run over multiple people
09/06/2022 11:40 am PDT
ATASCOSA COUNTY, Texas (TCD) -- A 47-year-old man stands accused of stealing a police car and leading authorities on a pursuit while allegedly high on methamphetamine.
According to a news release from the Atascosa County Sheriff's Office, on Sunday, Sept. 4, at approximately 6 p.m., a Poteet Police Department officer's car was struck from the rear end. The officer reportedly pursued the suspect who ran into him, and then the suspect allegedly rammed into the police car again from the front.
The Sheriff's Office said the police car was disabled, and citizens nearby helped the officer exit his car.
The suspect, later identified as Reynaldo Ruiz, was pursued by other authorities and was reportedly apprehended after a brief foot pursuit.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Ruiz was placed into the back seat of a Poteet Police Department vehicle, but he managed to get out of his handcuffs and leave the car. Officers reportedly tried to apprehend Ruiz a second time, however, he managed to jump into a police car and drive away at a high rate of speed toward a firetruck and firefighters.
A trooper believed Ruiz was going to hit a firetruck and reportedly fired 3 shots toward the stolen police car.
Ruiz switched directions and allegedly almost ran into a motorist before going down Main Street in Pleasanton. According to the Sheriff's Office, "The suspect made a U-turn and drove back north on Main Street where a Deputy Sheriff fired 4 shots at the fleeing suspect due to his attempts to harm other officers and the public."
Eventually, Ruiz reportedly collided into another police car before being tased by authorities. According to the Sheriff's Office, Ruiz was transported to a hospital and later booked into the Atascosa County Jail for two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon and felony escape.
During an interview, the Sheriff's Office said Ruiz admitted he tried to hit "as many police cars and officers as he could." Ruiz also confessed to "being on an extended Methamphetamine binge."
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