KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
June 30, 2019
By Natalie Cook Clark
Two car burglary suspects were arrested Saturday evening in Katy after being pursued first by a Kelliwood Pointe resident and then ultimately apprehended by a Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Constable. One of the suspects opened fire on the homeowner when he began chasing them. The homeowner fired back and one of the suspects was hit. The pursuit ended at Highland Knolls Drive and South Mason Road.
Homeowner Witnessed Vehicle Burglary
The incident began at a home in the 21400 block of Bentgrass Court in the Kelliwood Pointe neighborhood (Fort Bend County) when two suspects burglarized a vehicle Saturday night. The call came in at 5:52 pm from the homeowner. He told authorities that five minutes earlier the suspects burglarized his car and he was following them down Westheimer Parkway.
A Chase Ensued; Shots Fired
Norvell says the homeowner then followed the burglary suspects in his vehicle. "At a location inside Harris County, one of the suspects fired at him (homeowner) and he returned fire, striking one of the suspects.”
Suspects Caught, One Injured
A Precinct 3 deputy caught the suspects at the traffic light at Highland Knolls Drive and South Mason Road. The deputy saw that one of the suspects had a gun shot wound to his leg. According to Constable Wayne Thompson, the deputy on the scene applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. That suspect was taken away by an ambulance to treat his wounds.
Suspects Possibly Involved in Multiple Cases
Norvell says Fort Bend County detectives interviewed both suspects, and they did admit to multiple vehicle burglaries.
Joshua O’Neal Smith, 18-years-old was booked into Fort Bend County Jail for Burglary of a Vehicle, Tampering With Evidence, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. The second suspect is a 15-year-old male who was the suspect shot in the leg. He is expected to recover.
Multiple bullet holes were visible in the suspect's car. It was determined that the vehicle the suspects were in had been stolen. A handgun was thrown from the vehicle and found in the roadway.
“Great job by multiple agencies to work together and catch these young criminals,” Sheriff Nehls.
It's Dangerous to Chase Suspects
"We understand the desire to chase suspects," says Norvell. "However, just as we saw in this case it is very dangerous to do so. We’re thankful the homeowner was not hit by the shot fired at him."