Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in an incident in which an HPD officer discharged his duty weapon in the 11000 block of Sabo Road about 9:30 a.m. on Monday (June 18).
The suspect, Victor Perez (H/m, 37), is charged with felony evading in a motor vehicle and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the 209th State District Court. A booking photo of Perez is attached to this news release.
HPD Senior Police Officer B. Kohlhafer, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in the incident. Officer Kohlhafer was sworn in as an officer in June 1990 and is assigned to the Clear Lake Patrol Division.
HPD Special Investigations Unit Senior Police Officer J. Villareal and Officers G. Potter, R. DeLaRosa and M. Rodriguez reported:
Officers from the HPD Clear Lake Patrol Division responded to a call from a citizen following a suspect who was driving a vehicle reportedly stolen on Saturday (June 16). As Officer Kohlhafer arrived at the intersection of Sabo and Fuqua, he saw the vehicle at a nearby gas station. As Officer Kohlhafer gave the suspect verbal commands to exit the vehicle, the suspect instead accelerated in reverse down Fuqua and Sabo and backed into a driveway at 11000 Sabo.
Using his patrol vehicle, Officer Kohlhafer blocked the suspect to prevent him from fleeing the scene. The suspect then accelerated toward the officer. Fearing for his life and believing he was about to be struck by the suspect vehicle, Officer Kohlhafer discharged his duty weapon and struck the suspect vehicle’s tires. The suspect vehicle fled the scene, striking Officer Kohlhafer’s patrol vehicle and other citizens’ vehicles. Officers initiated a vehicle pursuit and the suspect vehicle came to a stop in the 5300 block of South Shaver, where three individuals (Perez and two females) were taken into custody.
Further investigation developed information on Perez’s involvement and he was subsequently charged for his role in this case. The two females were questioned and released with no charges filed.
As is customary in incidents where an HPD officer discharges his duty weapon in the city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide Division Special Investigations Unit and the Internal Affairs Division.
Victor Perez
Update: VHS/JFC 6-19-18
VHS/JFC 6-18-18
Inc. #077476418