HARRIS COUNTY, TX- The driver of a military-style semi-trailer truck involved in a lengthy Sunday night pursuit that damaged multiple vehicles has been booked into the Harris County Jail, authorities confirmed Monday.
Omar Antonio Moreno, 53, is charged with three felony counts of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer and one count of Evading Arrest. Sheriff’s deputies took Moreno into custody at approximately 1:20 a.m. Monday following a prolonged vehicle pursuit and standoff that ended on the Eastex Freeway (U.S. 59) near Little York Road. No serious injuries were reported.
Investigators confirmed Moreno does not own the truck, and detectives are continuing to investigate whether an additional theft charge is warranted.
Timeline of Events
The incident began at approximately 9:47 p.m. Sunday, when an off-duty Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s deputy was at a gas station along the Eastex Freeway near Aldine Bender Road. Another driver approached the deputy and reported that a military-style semi truck had crashed into his vehicle.
A Harris County Sheriff’s deputy responded and attempted to stop the truck; however, the driver refused to comply, initiating a low-speed pursuit along the northbound lanes of the Eastex Freeway. Deputies deployed road spikes, which deflated the truck’s tires, but the pursuit continued.
Multiple agencies joined the operation, including:
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Texas Department of Public Safety
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Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office
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Houston Police Department
The pursuit lasted approximately 65 minutes, covered 27 miles, and reached a top speed of 40 miles per hour before the truck came to a stop near Little York Road.
Standoff and Arrest
When Moreno refused to exit the vehicle, Sheriff’s Office SWAT deputies were called to the scene. Tear gas was eventually deployed into the truck, prompting Moreno to surrender without further incident at approximately 1:20 a.m. Monday.
Vehicles Struck During the Incident
Authorities released a preliminary list of locations where the truck struck other vehicles:
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1 vehicle at Hermann Road and Suburban Road (8:35 p.m.)
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1 vehicle at Winfield Road and Hirsch Road (9:34 p.m.)
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1 vehicle at Aldine Mail Route Road and Eastex Freeway (9:37 p.m.)
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1 vehicle in the 11900 block of Mandy (9:46 p.m.)
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2 vehicles at Old North Belt Drive and North Sam Houston Parkway (9:49 p.m.)
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2 vehicles at North Sam Houston Parkway and Mesa Road (9:57 p.m.)
