Police chase, arrest 3 bar burglary suspects

HOUSTON – Three men burglarized a Midtown Houston bar and fled the scene early Wednesday, leading officers on a high-speed chase before they were caught, police said.

At 3 a.m., Houston police officers responded to a burglary in progress call at Link Nightclub at 2901 Fannin Street.  The owner of the club was upstairs, heard the commotion and called 911.

"When the officers showed up, they saw one suspect run and jump into a car. He was wearing a ski mask and had a crow bar in his hand," said Craig Bigger with the Houston Police Department.

The officer said he chased the man to the Southwest Freeway, to Interstate 10 East, to Lockwood Drive, and finally to Calles Street, where police said the getaway vehicle crashed into a culvert ditch.

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The three suspects abandoned the car, and the officer said he continued following them on foot. The officer caught the driver of the car first and, with the assistance of a K-9 unit, found and arrested the second and third suspects in an apartment complex in the 5300 block of Coke Street about two hours later.

The suspects' names were not released.

Investigators said the motive for the burglary was to steal expensive liquor.

"We've had in the past -- they'll break into the business with high-end alcohol, like $100 bottles. They go for the alcohol," Bigger said.

Drextel Motley said he owns the car used in the chase. He said he bought it for his son.

"I don't believe it," Motley said. "I don't believe he break into any building."