Houston Police Department > News Releases

Incident at 7400 South Hall

October 7, 2005 -- Houston police arrested a suspect who attempted to run over a police officer in the 7400 block of South Hall about 9:20 p.m. on Thursday (Oct. 6).

The suspect, Ricky Eugene Thymes (b/m, DOB 5-29-82), has been charged with aggravated assault against a public servant and possession of a controlled substance in the 230th State District Court.

When the suspect threatened HPD officers, Officer J.M. Garris discharged his weapon at the suspect on two separate occasions. The suspect was not hit. Officer Garris, assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division and sworn in as an HPD officer in August 1998, was not injured.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M.K. Peters and Officer A.J. Palos reported:

Patrol officers saw what they believed was a suspicious red Chevrolet pickup truck with a male standing beside the truck, possibly taking part in a drug deal. Officer Garris stopped his patrol vehicle and shined overhead lights and a spotlight on the truck to investigate. At that time, the driver of the truck, Thymes, sped in the direction of Officer Garris, who was out of his patrol vehicle and standing in the street.

Fearing he was going to be struck by the truck, Officer Garris discharged his weapon at the suspect. The suspect sped by Officer Garris and then headed toward a second officer, C.L. Landrum, who was in a marked patrol vehicle behind Officer Garris. Officer Garris felt the suspect was trying to run over Officer Landrum, so Officer Garris discharged his weapon a second time at the suspect.

The suspect drove off the roadway and ended up in a ditch at the corner of South Hall and Elbert. The suspect got out of the truck and attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody a short distance away.

JFC/RMM 10-7-05
Inc #152782805

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.