SWAT standoff with home invasion suspect ends with arrest in Spring area

SPRING, TX (KTRK) -- Harris County authorities say a home invasion suspect accused of robbing a family in the Spring area surrendered after a SWAT standoff.

Officials say the suspect was hiding inside an abandoned home on Lady Fern near Blue Rock Springs.

Authorities say around noon, three armed robbers made their way into a home nearby and zip-tied at least two people as a fourth suspect waited outside in the getaway car.

"They were tied up while the three suspects looked for any type of valuables, money and other things there in the home," said Harris County Sheriff's OFfice Deputy Thomas Gilliland. "One of the family members managed to leave the house and come outside, where he phoned 911."

Deputies arrived quickly and arrested the three suspects following a foot chase. The alleged getaway driver took off, sparking a brief car chase through the neighborhood before he ran inside the abandoned home. A SWAT team arrived at the scene and threw tear grenades inside the home to flush the suspect out. It worked; the suspect came out and surrendered peacefully.

None of the victims, which included a grandmother, from the home invasion were physically injured.

Spring ISD says Booker Elementary and Dekaney High School were briefly put on lockdown during a search for the suspects. Nearby neighbors also were forced to evacuate their homes during the standoff.