Police: Undercover deputy run over, dragged by suspect's vehicle

Three Spring Branch ISD schools put on lockdown after suspects flee

05:00 PM CDT on Tuesday, April 7, 2009

By Lee McGuire / 11 News & KHOU.com staff report

HOUSTON -- A suspect accused of running over a Harris County deputy was attempting to hide in an elementary school when he was captured, according to the Houston Police Department.

Investigators say the undercover deputy was staking out a car burglary theft ring when he spotted the suspects breaking into a car near I-10 and Maxey Road on Monday.

He followed them to the parking lot of the HCC Town and Country campus in the 1100 block of Lumpkin in West Houston.

The deputy said he watched them break into more cars. Then, he called HPD for backup.

When the deputy and HPD officer confronted the suspects, they allegedly rammed into the undercover deputy. He ended up on the hood of their car and fired a couple of shots into the windshield while trying to save his own life.

A bullet hit one of the suspects, but they kept going.

The deputy was dragged about 40 feet before the suspects sped off, according to Sheriff Adrian Garcia.

HCC student Ramie El Haj was driving out of the Houston Community College when the suspects' car sideswiped him. Darryl Phillips witnessed the incident, too.

Both men decided to follow the suspects, who bailed out of their Grand Prix near I-10 and the Beltway.

"Too many people see things happen and don't get involved. I didn't want to see them get away with what they did," Phillips said.

"When I saw them driving reckless, I thought they were high or drunk. But I wanted to make sure I kept up with them to see what was going on," El Haj said.

After the suspects abandoned the car, Police hunted for them on foot and found one at the gates of Bendwood Elementary. He tried to get in, but the Spring Branch ISD school had already been put on lockdown.

Police arrested Jordan Ayers in the school's parking lot and he was taken to Ben Taub Hospital in critical condition. The deputy's bullet hit him in the face.

"The suspect was shot. I guess he was trying to get away or get help, but he's not in very good shape," Spring Branch ISD Police Chief Chuck Brawner said.

The other suspect, Jerry Edward Ramirez, was captured in the 700 block of Electra and taken to jail.

The deputy was also taken to Ben Taub Hospital where he's being treated for some broken ribs. He’s in stable condition.

Ayers has been charged with aggravated assault against a public servant. Ramirez has been charged with burglary of a motor vehicle and evading detention.