Officer Shoots Man After Chase

Police: Juan Martinez Suspected Of Stealing Car

POSTED: Monday, September 28, 2009

UPDATED: 7:04 am CDT September 28, 2009

SOUTH HOUSTON, Texas -- A chase in the city of South Houston Sunday ended when a police officer shot a man suspected of stealing a car, KPRC Local 2 reported.

City of South Houston police said an officer ran a license plate of a black Mitsubishi at about 10:30 p.m. and it came back as stolen in Corpus Christi.

The officer turned on his siren and the driver sped off, investigators said.

Detectives said Juan Martinez, 18, was going southbound on Allen Genoa Road near Spencer Highway and rammed the car into a patrol car that was traveling northbound. The officer jumped out of his wrecked unit and ran toward the Mitsubishi.

"The suspect was still trying to drive and was coming toward the officer," Police Chief Herbert Gilbert said. "The information we have, there was two shots fired into the suspect's vehicle."

Martinez was wounded once in the chest, police said. He was hospitalized in stable condition.

There was also a felony warrant for Martinez's arrest on a larceny charge in Corpus Christi. Gilbert said Martinez would be charged with evading arrest.

The officer who fired his weapon has been with the city of South Houston for about two years. He will be on desk duty while the incident is investigated.

This was the first officer-involved shooting in the city of South Houston since 1996.

"Things are going to happen," Gilbert said. "It just sometimes comes with the job, and it's unfortunate that it does."

Copyright 2009 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Text SizeOfficer Shoots Man After Chase Police: Juan Martinez Suspected Of Stealing Car POSTED: Monday, September 28, 2009 UPDATED: 7:04 am CDT September 28, 2009