Lengthy high-speed chase ends in crash, arrest

SAPD patrol car rammed by suspect

SAN ANTONIO – A man led police Thursday on a lengthy, L.A.-style high-speed chase through several freeways throughout the city before he crashed a stolen car and was arrested.

San Antonio police Chief William McManus said the wild chain of events began around 11 a.m. on the city's Southeast Side, where police saw the man point a gun at another person in a car. When officers went to investigate, the man took off, McManus said.

McManus said officers lost the car for a while until Park police spotted the car and gave chase along with one of the Police Department's helicopters.

Moments later, the man was seen carjacking another vehicle in a credit union parking lot, McManus said.

At this point, the man was shot by a police officer, McManus said. However, the man tried to get away again and another chase ensued, and that's when the man led police through most sections of the city.

"We were right there," said Jerry McGarity, a witness at Brooks City Base West. "He almost crashed into me and my friend was hiding. He thought he (the suspect) had a gun and when he went around he almost hit us again."

The chase, which lasted more than an hour, finally ended on a dirt road off Loop 1604 and Northwest Military Drive. McManus said the man ended up in a wooded area, when he crashed the stolen car into a police cruiser. The man was apprehended and taken to University Hospital in an undetermined condition.

There were reports of a few accidents with other vehicles during the chase, but McManus said police needed to get this suspect off the streets.

"When we choose to pursue someone , we weigh the risk involved versus the need to apprehend," McManus said. "This person needed to be apprehended and I will add and emphasize that the officers did a great job throughout the whole thing."

WATCH: Traffic cameras capture suspect crossing median & SKY 12 flies over end of chase

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About the Authors:

Stephanie Serna is a weekday anchor on Good Morning San Antonio and GMSA at 9 a.m. She joined the KSAT 12 News team in November 2009 as a general assignments reporter.

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.