March 29, 2011 - A suspect wanted for felony evading arrest in an incident in which a Houston police officer wounded a suspect at 14400 Eastex Freeway (North U.S. 59) about 10:25 p.m. on Saturday (March 26) is now in custody.

Antonio Gallegos Flores, Sr. (H/m, DOB: 7-18-67) was arrested Monday night (March 28) by officers with the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force in the 11400 block of the Eastex Freeway service road.  A photo of Flores is not available at this time.

Two other suspects are in custody.  Pablo Sabas Flores (H/m, DOB: 3-20-94) is charged with felony evading in a motor vehicle in the 179th State District Court.  The other suspect, a 14-year-old male, has been referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on a misdemeanor charge of evading arrest on foot.

Officer B.A. Leblanc, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in this incident.  Officer Leblanc, assigned to the North Patrol Division, was sworn in as an officer in November 2008.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant B. Harris and Senior Police Officer M. Waters reported:

After being assaulted by Antonio Flores, Sr. earlier in the evening, his wife jumped from a pickup truck and flagged down Officer Leblanc.  The suspects then fled the scene in the pickup truck, with Antonio Flores' son, Pablo Flores, driving.  Officer Leblanc pursued the pickup truck for several miles with lights and siren activated.  During the pursuit, the 14-year-old suspect jumped from the vehicle as a diversionary tactic and was taken into custody by Harris County Sheriff’s deputies.  At that time, Antonio Flores, Sr. began driving the truck with Pablo as a passenger.  Later in the pursuit, the truck stopped again and Flores, Sr. fled on foot, leaving Pablo Flores to drive the truck.  Pablo Flores continued to flee from officers before losing control of the truck and crashing into the wrought iron fence and gate at an apartment complex entrance at the above address.  Two children, inside the truck during the pursuit, a boy, 10, and a girl, 12, ran from the accident scene and were found unharmed by HPD officers.

Pablo Flores fled the accident scene on foot.  During the ensuing foot pursuit, Flores reached into his pocket in an attempt to retrieve an object.  Officer Leblanc, believing Flores was attempting to retrieve a weapon, discharged his duty weapon one time, striking Flores in the leg.  Flores was taken to LBJ General Hospital where he was treated and released into HPD custody.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shootings, this case will be investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.



Update  JFC/VHS   3-29-11
KJS/JFC  3-28-11
Inc #038048911