A Fort Worth man is in custody after attempting to steal a patrol car during a routine traffic stop Sunday, according to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

At 4 p.m. Sunday, Trooper Larry Duncan made a routine traffic stop on U.S. 377, 10 miles south of Brownwood.

Duncan quickly learned that the 2002 Ford pickup, which was hauling a trailer, had been reported stolen out of Fort Worth. Duncan quickly ordered the passengers out of the vehicle and cuffed them.

While the trooper was cuffing the passengers, the driver, Christopher Johnson, 24, of Fort Worth, apparently attempted to flee by getting into the patrol vehicle.

"He was not able to get the car in gear, so he got out and attempted to get back into the truck on the passenger side," said Trooper Sparky Dean, spokesman for the DPS.

Duncan ran to the driver's side of the truck and reportedly noticed Johnson digging for what appeared to be a weapon in the front seat. Further investigation revealed Johnson was attempting to retrieve a .45 caliber air pistol from the front seat, troopers said.

"He (Duncan) fired one shot and missed Johnson, hitting the stolen vehicle," Dean said.

Johnson then fled in the stolen pickup. Other law enforcement officers were called to assist, and Johnson was later apprehended without further incident, Dean said.

Johnson was charged with aggravated assault on a public servant, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft of property over $15,000 and under $20,000, possession of a controlled substance, evading arrest and DWI.

He remains in custody at the Brown County Jail on bonds totaling $145,000. The passengers were not charged and were later released.