TABC Officer Shot During Theft

POSTED: Friday, September 11, 2009

UPDATED: 6:40 pm CDT September 11, 2009

HOUSTON -- An officer with Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission was shot while trying to stop a jewelry theft in the Galleria area Friday afternoon, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Houston police said the shooting occurred shortly before 4 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn on Sage Road near Richmond Avenue.

Witnesses said at least three suspects broke out a window of a jeweler's vehicle parked in front of the hotel.

The TABC officer, who was off-duty and working a security job for the jeweler, was near the vehicle and got into a gunfight with the thieves, officials said.

The officer was shot in the thigh and hospitalized in good condition. The jeweler was inside the hotel when the shooting occurred.

The wounded officer said he believes he shot one of the gunmen. A large pool of blood was found nearby on Hidalgo Street.

One of the theft suspects was found at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and had two gunshot wounds to the back, according to officials. He had been dropped off at the hospital.

The thieves escaped in a maroon sedan.

Investigators said the thieves knew exactly where the jewelry was stored.

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