Columbus, Texas- Man jumps officer, steals patrol car, shots fired at patrol car.
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| Texas Ranger Investigator Brian Taylor inspects a shell casing found at the intersection of U.S. 90 and Business 71 in Columbus Friday morning, Nov. 4. Citizen photo by James Jennings |
By James Jennings, Managing Editor
A man is in jail after jumping a Columbus police officer and stealing a patrol car early Friday morning.
Sigifredo Gonzales, 26, of Houston is being held at the Colorado County Detention Facility after being charged with theft of a motor vehicle, assault on a peace officer and possession of a controlled substance.
Three $75,000 bonds, a $20,000 bond and $1,500 bond were all set on Gonzales.
Gonzales was driving a stolen white Ford pick-up truck around 2:30 a.m. Friday.
Columbus Police Chief Danny Jackson said that Gonzales had stolen the truck at knife-point in Harris County.
When Gonzales arrived in Columbus, he attempted to get another vehicle to pull over, but the occupants called the Colorado County Sheriff's Department.
Columbus police officer David Gerloff was dispatched to investigate.
Gonzales crashed into some empty wooden storage buildings beside Windshield Xpress at the intersection of Business 71 and U.S. 90, and Gerloff came upon the wreck.
Gonzales climbed out the back window of the truck and jumped Gerloff, and a scuffle ensued.
“A good citizen came along and witnessed the altercation,” Jackson said. “He began hitting Gonzales with a shovel handle.”
At the same time, officer Jimmy Brannon responded to the scene.
Jackson said that Gonzales jumped up and ran to Gerloff's patrol car and got inside of it.
As Gonzales attempted to flee the scene in the patrol car, Brannon and Gerloff opened fire on the car in an attempt to shoot-out the tires.
Jackson added that Gonzales was not armed.
The two officers pursued the stolen patrol car in Brannon's vehicle west on U.S. 90.
Jackson said that the stolen patrol car now had three flat tires, two of which were off the rim.
The officers finally stopped Gonzales on U.S. 90 in Glidden near FM 2434.
Because the officers discharged their weapons, the Texas Rangers were immediately called to investigate the incident.
“Everything is on hold right now until the Texas Rangers do their investigation,” Jackson said. “We'll have more information at that time.”
Harris County law enforcement officials are also involved in the investigation.