SPRING, Texas – Hirsh Elementary, Winship Elementary and Twin Creeks Middle School were placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon while authorities searched for aggravated robbery suspects in the area.
The lockdown started at 2:30 p.m. and was lifted around 3:30 p.m.
Officials with the Harris County Constable's Office, Precinct 4, said a deputy went to the 22600 block of Aldine Westfield Road regarding an armed robbery at the Metro PCS cellphone store.
The first deputy constable on location provided a description of the getaway vehicle the suspects had fled in, authorities said. Other responding deputy constables spotted the vehicle in the 8300 block of FM 1960.
Authorities said the vehicle refused to stop and continued to flee until they turned down a dead-end street in the 4100 block of Wyanngate Drive.
Both robbery suspects got out of the vehicle and fled on foot into a heavily wooded area, authorities said.
The driver was quickly apprehended by pursuing constables, but the other robbery suspect managed to evade deputies. Authorities said a police perimeter was set up, and K-9 units with additional law enforcement personnel assisted in the search.
The search was eventually called off due to safety concerns as several schools in the area were letting out and the streets were filling up with children, authorities said.
The second suspect was found at an apartment complex in the 14000 block of Ella Boulevard.
When authorities approached the suspect, gunfire was exchanged. The deputy was not hit, but the suspect was struck in his leg, chest and head, according to authorities. There is no word on his condition at this time.
Authorities said the suspect constables apprehended was identified as Justice Toran, 35, who was also found in possession of heroin.
Investigators recovered stolen cellphones in the suspect's vehicle and other property taken in the robbery, authorities said.
"Justice Toran was arrested, charged with aggravated robbery, evading in a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance," Constable Mark Herman said. "Justice Toran was booked into the Harris County Jail. His bond and court was not set at the time of this release."
