Ex-West University officer charged in hostage incident / Out on bail, the former policeman is ordered to stay away from ex-wife

Paper: Houston Chronicle

Date: Tue 11/27/2007

Section: B Page: 3 Edition: 3 STAR

By DALE LEZON STAFF

A former police officer who surrendered after a standoff with Houston's SWAT team last week has been charged in connection with the incident, law enforcement officials said Monday.

David James Vitrella, 36, of Houston, is charged with aggravated assault on a public servant, aggravated kidnapping and burglary with intent to commit another felony, said John Cannon, a spokesman with the Houston Police Department.

Vitrella is free on a total of $90,000 bail, court staff said. He is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 13.

A magistrate judge imposed an emergency protective order Thursday, prohibiting Vitrella from going to his ex-wife's office and home and harassing her in any manner, such as by phone, officials said.

He could not be reached for comment.

Vitrella is a former West University Place police officer as well as a former University of Texas police officer, said Jane Waters, Harris County assistant district attorney.

Cannon said Vitrella allegedly broke into a home in the 900 block of Pecore about 1 p.m. Wednesday.

He apparently pointed a gun at a man who lived in the home and threatened to shoot and kill him, Cannon said. The man ran from the home unhurt and called police.

Vitrella found his ex-wife in the home, Cannon said, and held her hostage in a back room.

"At one point, he pointed his weapon at one police officer," Cannon added.

He surrendered to SWAT officers about five hours later. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

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