New Braunfels police lead on high speed chase, suspect in custody
FOX 7 obtained a release from the City of New Braunfels where officers were lead on a chase at speeds topping 90mph. The 19-year-old male suspect was taken into custody after police performed a "PIT" maneuver.
Read the release below.
New Braunfels, Texas — On today’s date, at approximately 3:30pm, the New Braunfels Police Department was notified of a Welfare Concern by the San Marcos Police Department. The person in question was last known to be at the TA Truck Stop in the 4800 block of I-35 North, and NBPD units responded to that location and located the man and his vehicle, a gray Nissan Versa. As officers arrived, the driver of the vehicle was leaving the truck stop and a traffic stop was initiated, however the driver refused to stop.
Officers pursued the vehicle along the southbound I-35 frontage road at speeds topping 90mph and observed the vehicle disregard the traffic signal at FM 306. The vehicle then continued to the turnaround at North Business 35 and took the turn at a high rate of speed causing the vehicle to hop the curb and enter the oncoming lanes of traffic. The vehicle then turned onto the northbound frontage road and while traveling northbound the driver threw out an automatic rifle from the vehicle window.
The suspect then entered the main lanes of traffic just before FM 306 and continued northbound at a high rate of speed until the front right tire of the vehicle went flat causing the vehicle to slow down to 25 to 30mph. At this point more NBPD officers had joined the pursuit. Several of those officers stopped northbound traffic on the highway while another officer executed a PIT Maneuver of the vehicle, causing it to come to a stop.
The suspect, identified as a 19-year old male from San Marcos, was then taken into custody (his identification is currently being withheld pending magistration). A search of the vehicle yielded nearly 2 ounces of marijuana and the suspect also claimed he had swallowed some pills so he was transported to Resolute Health Hospital for treatment. He remains in custody while receiving that treatment at the hospital. Once medically cleared he will be transported to the Comal County Jail and charged with Evading Arrest, Possession of Marijuana, and Tampering with Evidence. Additional charges may be forthcoming.
Following the end of the pursuit the northbound main lanes of I-35 remain closed until crews could clear the scene around 4:15pm. No other injuries were reported.