11/29/13 San Marcos, TX – Man Takes Ex-Girlfriend Hostage – Steals Police Cruiser – 50 Mile Chase At 100 MPH – Suspect Shot And Killed

November 29, 2013

kxan.com

A man who took his ex-girlfriend hostage and led authorities on a high-speed overnight chase for some 50 miles in a stolen police cruiser died early Friday from police gunfire.

The 22-year-old man was not immediately identified, pending notification to his family. The woman, 19, was freed. Authorities say she had a small cut on her leg, but was not otherwise physically injured.

Police said the incident started just before 1 a.m. in Bulverde. They say the suspect confronted his girlfriend at her workplace. He had a gun. When Bulverde police responded, the suspect allegedly fired at an officer. The officer took cover.

At that point, the suspect shoved the hostage into the patrol car, and stole the police car. For more than 50 miles, a high speed chased ensued. Bulverde police started the pursuit, but it soon became a multi agency effort. As Bulverde officers pulled off, other sheriff’s offices resumed the pursuit. They traveled down Highway 46 East in the cruiser. The chase continued towards Canyon Lake to Purgatory Road, and through three counties.

The chase reached speeds of more than 100 mph, police said.

During the chase, police say the suspect fired several times at officers.

“The chase reach very high speeds, and even so, the suspect fired at Bulverde police officers, Comal County officers, and San Marcos officers,” said San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams.

Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler said, “The entire time, the hostage was being threatened and told she would be killed.”

The chase came to an end in Hays County.

Officers used stop sticks to flatten the tires, but the chase continued for 10 more miles, police said, coming to a final stop on Texas 21 near FM 2001.

After the stolen patrol car was stopped, police said the suspect barricaded himself and held the woman at gunpoint. When he pointed his gun at SWAT officers, they fired and killed him, police said.

“You have a man who has fired at police officers several times. You have a man who is pointing a gun at a victim threatening to kill her. He points the gun at SWAT. They did what they had to do to make sure the victim survives the encounter,” said San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams.
Authorities say they have asked the Texas Rangers to come in an lead the investigation since so many agencies were involved in the chase and rescue.