Suspect in Christmas Eve attack on police officer arrested in Leander
AUSTIN, Texas - The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force has arrested the suspect in the attack on an Austin Police Department officer in Southwest Austin on Christmas Eve.
Officials say 41-year-old Louis "Taz" Rhyne was arrested without incident on December 29 at 11:30 a.m. in the 10700 block of East Crystal Falls Parkway in Leander.
Rhyne's bond has been set at $1 million. Officials say they located Rhyne thanks to anonymous tips provided to Capital Area Crime Stoppers.
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Photo of arrest of Louis Rhyne courtesy Lone Star Fugitive Task Force.
Rhyne is facing charges of aggravated assault on a police officer and three outstanding felony warrants for motions to revoke personal recognizance bonds for burglary of the vehicle with two or more prior convictions, theft of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The incident on Christmas Eve began when APD says an officer responded to an alarm call near Travis Green Lane and Hero Drive in southwest Austin at around midnight. When the officer arrived and while in his patrol car, he noticed a vehicle with duct tape obscuring its license plate drive by a nearby home.
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The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect, now identified as Rhyne, drove away evading police and fired several shots at the officer, says APD. The suspect began driving on the wrong side of the road during the pursuit, so officers stopped pursuing the vehicle.
APD says the suspect vehicle was found a short time later crashed and abandoned in a nearby apartment complex's parking lot. Officers set up a perimeter and searched, but the suspect was not found.
Louis Rhyne (Austin Police Department)
APD says the suspect vehicle was found a short time later crashed and abandoned in a nearby apartment complex's parking lot. Officers set up a perimeter and searched, but the suspect was not found.