Officer shoots suspected car thief in SW Houston

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 | 9:45 AM

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An HPD officer is on desk duty after he shot a suspected car thief near Westwood Mall.

Officers found the stolen car pulling into an apartment complex on Club Creek near Country Creek Monday afternoon. Police say the shooting happened as they approached the vehicle.

"He gave the suspect multiple commands to show his hands and to get on the ground. The suspect began to reach for a weapon in his waistband," said Jodi Silva with the Houston Police Department. "As the suspect reached for the weapon in his waistband, the officer discharged his weapon several times and struck the suspect in both the abdomen and the hand."

The driver survived and is being treated at Ben Taub Hospital.

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