SWAT Standoff Ends Hours-Long Pursuit of Military-Style Truck in Houston
What to Know
- The pursuit started after a hit-and-run incident at a gas station near Aldine Bender and the Eastex Freeway.
- Authorities say Omar Moreno refused to stop, leading to a 65-minute chase covering approximately 27 miles across major Houston roadways.
- Law enforcement used spike strips, fired rounds, and deployed tear gas to disable the truck and apprehend Moreno.
HOUSTON, Texas — Harris County deputies arrested a 53-year-old man early Monday morning following a more than hour-long pursuit across Houston involving a military-style truck. The driver, identified as Omar Moreno, faces three counts of aggravated assault and one count of evading arrest.
The incident began around 9:47 p.m. Jan. 4, when an off-duty Precinct 4 constable witnessed a hit-and-run crash with injuries at a gas station near Aldine Bender and the Eastex Freeway. Deputies quickly located the suspect vehicle, described as a military-style tractor trailer without license plates, according to KPRC-TV.
Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but Moreno refused to yield, initiating a 65-minute pursuit covering approximately 27 miles at speeds up to 40 mph. The chase traversed multiple major roadways and neighborhoods, including Interstate 10 and U.S. 59 North, before returning to the Eastex Freeway.
Law enforcement deployed spike strips and, at certain points, fired rounds in an effort to disable the vehicle, but the truck continued moving despite visible damage. Authorities estimate the suspect struck at least 10 civilian vehicles before and during the pursuit, and he attempted to ram law enforcement vehicles multiple times.
Multiple agencies joined the response, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office, and the Houston Police Department. The pursuit concluded south of Little York on U.S. 59 North, where Harris County SWAT attempted verbal contact with the suspect. When those efforts failed, gas was deployed around 1:20 a.m., resulting in Moreno’s surrender. Chief Deputy Tommy Diaz confirmed the suspect was taken into custody without injury.
Moreno does not own the truck involved. No weapons were found, and neither deputies nor civilians were injured during the incident. The suspect was booked into the Harris County Jail.
Records show Moreno has a prior criminal history, including a July 2025 conviction for unauthorized use of a vehicle and prior arrests for criminal mischief and trespassing.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and is seeking information from the public related to the case.