HOUSTON – Houston police said they have arrested the man they say dragged an off-duty officer through a Home Depot parking lot Wednesday morning.
Acting on a tip, officers said they arrested the suspect overnight. Officers said the man had a gunshot wound to one of his legs. He was taken to a hospital.
Investigators said the off-duty Houston Police Department officer, who was working a second job at the store while wearing her uniform, discharged her weapon at a suspect who was trying to flee from a business located at 6810 Gulf Freeway near Woodridge around 10:30 a.m.
According to police, the suspect tried to leave the store without paying for items that were in his basket. When approached by store employees, officers said the suspect got into an altercation with the store’s lost prevention team before attempting to flee in his vehicle.
HPD’s assistant chief Patricia Cantu said when the off-duty officer approached the suspect, he got into his vehicle and started reversing while the officer was still in his doorway. Cantu said the officer was dragged about 100 feet before she discharged her weapon and the suspect hit another vehicle.
The suspect was able to drive away, and the officer was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the suspect was driving a black Chrysler 300 with chrome rims.
Police said they will provide the man’s identity when charges are filed.