Brownsville, TX - Handcuffed Teen Steals Brownsville Officer's Police Car - Tries to Run Officer Over - Charged with Attempted Capital Murder
Bond set at $1M for teen charged with attempted murder of cop
April 14, 2007 - 11:34PM
A teenager accused of attempting to run over a
Brownsville police officer with her own squad car
remains behind bars on a $1 million bond.
Jason Zarate, 19, was arraigned by Brownsville Municipal Judge John Williamson Thursday morning on charges of attempted capital murder, taking weapon from a peace officer, attempted theft of a motor vehicle, escape from custody and burglary of a motor vehicle.
Williamson set Zarate’s bond at $1,000,065.
Thursday night he was being held at the Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center in Olmito.
Veteran police officer Esther Perez was transporting Jason Zarate to the Brownsville City Jail shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday, when he managed to break free of his handcuffs and crossed into the front seat of Perez’s vehicle through a small window, police Sgt. Jimmy Manrrique said.
Zarate was arrested earlier Wednesday for stealing a car stereo in Southmost, according to police. Perez arrived at the scene of the arrest to help officers transport Zarate to jail.
While struggling with Perez, Zarate allegedly choked and struck the officer and then attempted to take her handgun from her holster.
The officer continued to struggle with the assailant, before she hit the brakes and exited the vehicle at 30th and Delta streets.
Police say Zarate then took the wheel of the unit and attempted to run over Perez, without success.
Perez, a 20-year veteran with the department, was transported to the Day and Night Clinic, and released Wednesday afternoon after being treated for injuries.
Jason Zarate, 19, was arraigned by Brownsville Municipal Judge John Williamson Thursday morning on charges of attempted capital murder, taking weapon from a peace officer, attempted theft of a motor vehicle, escape from custody and burglary of a motor vehicle.
Williamson set Zarate’s bond at $1,000,065.
Thursday night he was being held at the Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center in Olmito.
Veteran police officer Esther Perez was transporting Jason Zarate to the Brownsville City Jail shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday, when he managed to break free of his handcuffs and crossed into the front seat of Perez’s vehicle through a small window, police Sgt. Jimmy Manrrique said.
Zarate was arrested earlier Wednesday for stealing a car stereo in Southmost, according to police. Perez arrived at the scene of the arrest to help officers transport Zarate to jail.
While struggling with Perez, Zarate allegedly choked and struck the officer and then attempted to take her handgun from her holster.
The officer continued to struggle with the assailant, before she hit the brakes and exited the vehicle at 30th and Delta streets.
Police say Zarate then took the wheel of the unit and attempted to run over Perez, without success.
Perez, a 20-year veteran with the department, was transported to the Day and Night Clinic, and released Wednesday afternoon after being treated for injuries.