Watch: Burly Suspect Kicks Out Texas Deputy's Cruiser Window to Escape Moving Vehicle

A 6-foot-7, 260-pound man wanted on a felony warrant allegedly kicked out a Houston County deputy's cruiser window and squeezed through the opening of the still-moving vehicle before he was caught again.
Sept. 18, 2026
2 min read
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What to Know

  • A 6-foot-7, 260-pound suspect accused of assaulting a public servant led deputies on a foot chase and struggle before being arrested on a felony warrant Sept. 3.
  • After being handcuffed with two sets of restraints, the suspect allegedly slipped them to the front, kicked out a Houston County deputy's cruiser window and squeezed through the opening while the vehicle was still moving.
  • The deputy stopped the cruiser after the suspect fell onto the roadway, then used a Taser to apprehend him a second time, and his escape attempt was captured on the patrol vehicle's interior camera.

Lessons to Apply in the Field

Could Loose Gear in Your Patrol Vehicle Become a Deadly Projectile?

  • Using anchored mounts or lock boxes can prevent gear from becoming dangerous projectiles in a crash.
  • Regular vehicle inspections before shifts help identify and fix safety hazards related to unsecured gear.
  • Design changes in patrol vehicles influence the placement and safety of equipment.

Check out this story for more on keeping the inside of cruisers safe.

A 6-foot-7-inch, 260 pound suspect is accused of kicking out a backseat window of a Texas deputy's cruiser and squeezing his burly frame through the opening while the pickup truck was still moving in a failed attempt to escape custody earlier this month.

The incident happened Sept. 3 when Houston County sheriff's deputies were serving a felony arrest warrant for the assault of a public servant or judge, the agency stated in a social media post that included footage of the daring escape attempt. The suspect—identified as Keon Dewayne Leonard—led authorities on a brief foot chase, and a struggle ensued before he was finally taken into custody.

"Because of his size (6’7” and 260 lbs) two sets of cuffs were used," Sheriff Zak Benge wrote in the agency's social media post. "He slipped the cuffs from rear to front and then began his attempted escape."

Footage from the cruiser's interior camera shows Leonard stretching out in the backset and violently kicking a window. He was able to knock out the glass after several strikes, and then he squeezed his large frame through the window, escaping the pickup while it was still moving.

Deputy Jenefer Cruz hit the brakes on her unit once Leonard fell onto the roadway. Leonard fled on foot for a second time that day, and he was arrested for a second time in the same span after Cruz deployed a Taser during the brief chase.

"Deputy Cruz, though small in stature, is full of grit," wrote Benge. 

Along with original felony assault charge, Leonard now faces charges for the attempted escape and destruction of our property Benge said. 

About the Author

Joe Vince
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Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.
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