HOUSTON – A man suspected of crashing into a northwest Harris County store and then driving away went to court on Monday for another case.
Harold Clayton, 59, was in court with his attorney to face a charge of drinking and driving that was filed earlier this year.
Clayton is also a suspect in a case filed last week. Harris County sheriff's deputies said Clayton lost control of his car, slammed into the Lighting Gallery on F.M. 1960 near Shiloh Church Road about 7:30 a.m. on Friday and then drove home.
A witness nearby saw the whole thing and recorded what was happening. Investigators tracked Clayton to his apartment and arrested him. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and failure to stop and give information.
The judge ruled, in connection with the previous case, that Clayton blow into a breath testing device at least four times per day. The judge wanted him to have that kind of device installed on a vehicle, but Clayton claimed that he does not own a car.
KPRC Local 2 found out that Clayton used to be a Houston police officer. According to public records, he was an officer from 1982 to 2009. His last role on the force was patrol at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.