Suspect in officer's shooting arrested

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A suspected armored car robber is in police custody after a dramatic chase through East Austin, an exchange of gunfire with police and a carjacking Monday afternoon near Ed Bluestein Boulevard and Manor Road, authorities said.

Police said the incident began just after 3 p.m. with a robbery at the Capital Plaza shopping center on IH-35 between 51st Street and Koenig Lane. The suspect used a handgun to overpower an armored car guard who was making a delivery. The suspect also fired shots inside the business when the clerk started screaming, and told him to 'shut up.' No one was hurt and the suspect made off with the guard's gun and a bag of cash.

When officers caught up with the suspect at Langston and Highway 183, they tried to pull the him over, but he refused to stop.

Just before 3:30 p.m., the suspect pulled over in the Springdale Shopping Center, near Ed Bluestein Boulevard and Manor Road.

Police said once the suspect was cornered behind the shopping center, he got out of his vehicle and engaged them in a gunfight that left one patrol officer slightly injured.

"We heard five shots right around this area," said Johnny Ardoin who was at a local nail salon.

One patrol car sustained gunshot damage to the driver's side door and window.

"I heard shots. I thought he had crashed his truck," said Tim Clemens who was taking a break outside a store when the suspect's vehicle drove by at what he thought was 60 mph.

Police said one officer was transported with a minor knee injuries to University Medical Center Brackenridge -- it is not clear if his injury was caused by an actual bullet or shrapnel. The officer's identity has not been released at this time.

"I’m happy our officer appears to be in stable condition and will recover fully from his injuries," said a relieved Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo.

The suspect managed to get away and run into a field behind the HEB grocery store.

The suspect then carjacked an innocent bystander on Old Manor Road and made him drive him to a nearby location.

"The person that was carjacked by the suspect was not injured, thankfully," said Acevedo. "And that’s an individual who did a really good job of immediately calling 911 and giving additional information."

A few hours later, the suspect was apprehended in the 9400 block of Highway 290.

Acevedo said the suspect has a criminal history.