HOUSTON – Police arrested a man after a wild chase that ended in northwest Harris County late Tuesday night, investigators said.
They said the driver was speeding and driving erratically in northwest Houston around 11:25 p.m.
Officers said they tired to pull him over after he ran a red light at the intersection of Ella Boulevard and Rankin Road, but the driver refused to pull over.
Instead, he led police on a 25-minute chase north on Interstate 45, according to HPD.
Lt. Larry Crowson said he eventually exited the freeway and turned onto Cypresswood Drive where Harris County deputies got involved.
He said they tossed out spike strips in an attempt to stop the driver.
Deputies succeeded, according to Crowson; they popped three of the driver's tires nearly disabling his car near Enchanted Oaks Drive.
Police began to surround the car, but as they did, the driver backed into a patrol car in an attempt to get away, Crowson said.
At the same time, a second cruiser clipped a tree while trying to block him from driving off again, police said.
The police officers were not hurt, according to police.
Maritza Munez was startled by the sound.
She said, "They already had the guy on the floor and they were yelling at him. By the time I got out here they were putting him in a cop car," Munez said.
The driver was arrested.
Crowson said the driver had been drinking and will be evaluated for DUI.
He said the driver will likely face evading charges as well.
Crowson said investigators will also check to see if the driver may be connected to a string of robberies in the Cypresswood area.