Aransas Pass, TX - Intoxicated Suspect Steals Police Car - Tries To Run Down Police Officers - Officers Shoot At Police Car - Crash

June 2, 2010

Manuel De La Rosa/ Area 3 News

Law officers in Aransas Pass had their hands full overnight as they tried to subdue a man who was apparently determined not to be taken in. At one point, the 30-year-old suspect reportedly stole a police car and tried to run down the officers. They in turn, fired several shots at him, and captured him after a short chase.

A police call for public intoxication escalated within minutes into two officers nearly getting killed. Officers said the suspect was trying to run them over and get away.

"We were very lucky nobody got hurt with anything," said Captain Robert Gonzales of the Aransas Pass Police Department. "Officers discharging their weapons and the subject leaving in the patrol car and driving recklessly."

This police cruiser was shot at six times by officers and three hit the car. It all started when they tried to arrest Chris Mason around 2:30 am They tried to taze the 30-year-old man and hit him with a baton, but it didn't phase him.

He jumped into a police car and tried to run the officers over. That's when officers pulled out their weapons, shooting at him and Mason led them on a short pursuit.

"He took off from here, maybe less than a block when he hit a stop sign," Captain Gonzales said. "He stopped over there got out of the car and ran. They caught him maybe 100 yards from the building. The suspected tried to jump that fence and according to officers he slipped and fell and they caught him."

The officers involved in this incident will remain on the job.

Meanwhile, Mason was taken to be examined for mental health problems. He's facing three criminal charges, including attempted capital murder of a peace officer. He's being held on a bond of $264,000.

San Patricio County Sheriff's officers also had to deal with Mason on saturday night. He was involved in a standoff in Aransas Pass and held them at bay for two hours before a negotiator talked him out.

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