Houston police chase: Man crashed car after possibly holding minor hostage
HOUSTON - Houston police believe a suspect who led officers on a chase was holding a minor hostage in the passenger seat in Harris County, officials say.
Police say Spencer Orlando Gilbert, 19, has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, felony evading, and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Spencer Orlando Gilbert (Photo: Houston Police Department)
According to court documents, Gilbert is suspected of killing someone in Godley, Texas, and then taking a witness hostage. Court documents allege that Gilbert drove the hostage's car to Houston and used a firearm to threaten the hostage.
Houston police responded to a possible hostage situation near Almeda Road and Southmore Boulevard around 11:30 a.m. They found the car in question near W Alabama Street and Sage Road.
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Lieutenant Garcia with HPD says the suspect then led police on a chase from the Museum District to the Galleria before losing control and crashing into a pole near the Take 5 Oil Change business on Richmond Ave and Yorktown.
"The suspect upon exiting the vehicle, he fled the scene where he was apprehended," said HPD Liet. Garcia.
The crash left shattered glass and broken pieces of the suspect’s car on the ground.
A witness who did not want to show his face or be identified said he watched as the suspect narrowly missed him with his car.
"It's an absolute blessing because at least we’re all getting to go home. It would’ve been all of us because we were all just standing right there," the witness told FOX 26.
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"One minute you hear the tires squeal, then another minute you hear pop, where the car hit the light pole. The car did like a 360 after it hit the light pole then the guy jumped out from the drivers side and took off running. We didn’t even know there was a guy in the passengers seat," the witness said.
Police believe a minor was being held hostage in the passenger seat. The minor sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment, according to HPD.