Neighbors credited with tackling suspect who opened fire and stole police car

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A dangerous shoot out took place during a chase involving a stolen cop car in northwest Houston. It was a dramatic scene that ended with one suspect in custody thanks to citizens who jumped into action.

Police are giving all the credit to a group of three neighbors who tackled the suspect to the ground after he crashed the stolen patrol car against a tree. The hood of the car was left completely crumbled.

This all began three miles away at the Lisa Motel. An officer who was driving by looking for suspicious activity was called over by the manager of the motel. We're told she told the officer there was a man on property who refused to leave. When the officer approached the suspect, he apparently pulled a weapon on the officer repeatedly before jumping into the patrol car. A man visiting the motel heard it all.

"Next thing I know I hear four or five shots being fired and I hear a police car speeding out," said eyewitness Aaron Smith. "That's when I saw an officer running through the bushes. It got pretty crazy."

Police tell us the officer exchanged gunfire with the suspect. No one was hit and the suspect was able to get away. He crashed out 10 minutes later, where neighbors tackled him to the ground and he was eventually arrested.

Police have not revealed the name of the suspect, telling us only that he's 26 years old and has a criminal record. No word yet on what charges he will be facing. But again, police crediting neighbors for tackling the suspect and keeping him on the ground until they arrived.