SAPD: Man who led officers on high-speed chase kidnapped relative at gunpoint

SAN ANTONIO – The man accused of leading San Antonio police officers on a pursuit Thursday afternoon had previously kidnapped a relative at gunpoint, police said Friday.

Officers with the Repeat Offender Program Unit spotted Thomas Suggs, 36, who was wanted on an aggravated kidnapping charge, around 5 p.m. Thursday.

Police said Friday Suggs kidnapped the relative on Tuesday at gunpoint before releasing him.

Officers called for assistance from the Street Crime Unit, who then attempted to initiate a traffic stop near Petaluma and Pleasanton on Suggs.

He refused to pull over, and police supervisors authorized a pursuit because he was wanted for a violent criminal offense, police said.

San Antonio police said Suggs led officers on a pursuit with speeds of more than 60 mph and fired at officers more than six times.

Officers with the Street Crimes Unit performed a pursuit intervention technique, or PIT maneuver, to end the chase.

The chase ended in the 100 block of East Formosa.

Officers did not fire any shots, and no one was injured, police said.

Suggs will be taken to the Bexar County Jail on the aggravated kidnapping charge for which he was wanted and will also be charged with deadly conduct, felon in possession of a firearm and for evading arrest, police said. Suggs will also face federal charges.

The kidnapping victim is OK, police said.