HOUSTON – A robbery suspect is in custody after leading Pasadena police on a chase that ended when he crashed his vehicle into a middle school in southeast Houston.
A spokesperson for Pasadena ISD said the suspect's truck crashed into Morris Middle School around 1 p.m. Sunday.
Fortunately no teachers or staff members were inside the building and no one was hurt.
"We're thankful for that. There were no injuries. No one here was hurt and that's the most important thing for us," said Renea Ivy, the Pasadena ISD Associate Superintendent for Communications and Community Relations.
Pasadena police said the chase followed reports of two armed robberies within about 15 minutes in Pasadena.
The first victim told police he was robbed at gunpoint at a car wash in the 800 block of Preston around 12:30 p.m.
The next robbery was reported around 12:45 p.m. in the area of Richey and Harris.
Police said after seeing a truck that matched the suspect's vehicle, officers tried to get the driver to pull over. Instead, he led them on a chase that ended when he lost control of the truck and crashed into the school.
Houston resident Pete Ramirez witnessed the final part of the chase and compared it to something out of a movie. He said he was at the intersection of Fuqua and Kingspoint when he saw the suspect's truck speeding toward him with officers in pursuit.
"He starts screeching. I just thought, 'Oh no, he's going to hit me!'" said Ramirez.
Damage to the school is estimated at $30,000.
A district spokesperson said engineers will determine if there was any structural damage to the building, but the clean up and repairs won't impact the start of classes on August 27.
"It didn't affect any classrooms, hallways or offices. We are ready," said Ivy.