Houston Police Department

February 24, 2006 -- The Houston Police Department, Homicide Division, is investigating the officer-involved shooting of a Burglary of a Motor Vehicle suspect that occurred on February 23, 2006 at 6867 Gulf Freeway. This shooting occurred in
a restaurant parking lot at 12:20 PM.

Homicide Division investigators, Sergeant W. P. Booth, Sergeant C. E. Elliott, and Officer M. Cruz, report:

Officer N. Patel (34 years of age/10 years of service) and Officer A. Yanez (40 years of age/14 years of service), both assigned to the Eastside Division, Gang Unit, were conducting surveillance in the parking lot of this business due to a recent rash of car break-ins. Officer Patel observed a suspicious vehicle enter the parking lot and saw one suspect break into another vehicle. Officers moved in to make the arrest of the suspects, at which time one suspect fled on foot. He was arrested after a brief foot chase. The driver of the truck, Levi Balderas, rammed the officers's vehicle and accelerated toward the officers. Officer Patel and Officer Yanez each fired one shot with Balderas being struck one time in the leg. Balderas was placed under arrest and treated first by the officers and then by HFD personnel who transported him to Ben Taub Hospital. Charges are pending against both suspects in this case.

As with all officer-involved shootings, this incident is under investigation by the Homicide Division of the Houston Police Department, as well as the Internal Affairs Division, and the Harris County District Attorney's office.

Case # 303715-06P
DJC/MES

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.