Armed driver arrested weeks after police chase in north Houston

Jose Esquivel, 22.

HOUSTON – The driver who fired at officers during a chase in north Houston a few weeks ago was arrested Friday.

Jose Esquivel, 22, is charged with aggravated assault against a public servant. The Houston Police Department was able to find Esquivel using a Crime Stoppers tip.

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According to investigators, Officers J. Lopez and A. Baker were driving May 27 in the 2600 block of Gano when they saw a gold, four-door Cadillac commit a traffic violation shortly after midnight.

Police said the officers signaled the driver, Esquivel, to pullover and he stopped on the side of the street. As the policemen approached the Cadillac, investigators said Esquivel put his car in gear and sped off.

Officers said they chased Esquivel for several blocks as he tried to evade police, making several turns and switching off his headlights.

When the chase reached the 3000 block of Gano, police said Esquivel reached out from the driver’s window with a gun in hand and fired several shots at the officers.

Police said the officers continued to follow Esquivel onto the 3100 block Maury, when the driver came to a complete stop. When the officers drove closer to the vehicle, Esquivel put his car in reverse and rammed into the front of the patrol car, investigators said.

Assuming Esquivel was preparing to fire again, the officers started shooting at him, according to police.
Officers said Esquivel then sped off before later abandoning the Cadillac near the intersection of Maury and Bunton.

Investigators said Esquivel managed to escape on foot, ditching his handgun, which was later found by officers.

Members of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force were able to arrest Esquivel about two weeks later in Channelview.

No one was injured in the shooting, police said.