Police say the patrolman stopped the suspect and began searching him for weapons. That's when investigators say the man lunged at the officer and tried first to take his Taser, then actually grabbed the police officer's pistol out of his holster. The officer was wrestling with the man when he got some unexpected help.
"The officer was fighting to retain his weapon when a passerby, a female, actually jumped on the suspect's back and was able to help hold the suspect off long enough until other units arrived and took the suspect into custody," said Lt. Jr. Chase with the Houston Police Department.
Police say they are thankful for that good Samaritan. The officer suffered an injury to his hand.
The suspect was arrested. He faces felony charges of aggravated assault of a police officer and disarming a peace officer. Police say there's evidence the he was on some kind of anti-psychotic medication.