Family loses home to fire after chase suspect accused of evading police crashes into it

PASADENA, Texas (KTRK) -- The Padrone family remembers their grandparents' home full of life, family, and love. Owner Romelda Padron shared the home on Edward Drive in South Houston with her husband until his passing a few years ago.

"I met my husband right up here in the front yard. We've been together ever since," Padron said.

To see it destroyed now is devastating.

"I don't know what we're going to do. I don't know what happens now," Padron said.

According to Pasadena police, on Monday at about 4 p.m., officers were called to the Walmart on Shaver Street for an alleged theft. The Harris County District Attorney's Office said 19-year-old Amya Williams and 50-year-old Chastity Robinson were arrested after fleeing the Walmart on foot, and 21-year-old Amontre Williams got into a Jeep and fled.

Home surveillance sent to ABC13 shows the car speeding through a neighborhood, followed by police cars.

Investigators said the chase ended when the fleeing car crashed into the Padron home. According to Mark Blanco, he was in the garage of his mother-in-law's home when the car crashed into the living room, pinning his son.

"We just heard a boom, a loud boom, and we ran out to see what it was because it was so loud like it shook the whole house and when I went into the living room, I see my son and he's under the couch and the car is on top on the couch," Blanco said.

His son, Saul Blanco, went to the hospital, but his father said he survived with only scratches and bruising.

"This feeling just came over me, and I got out of there as fast as I could," Blanco said.

According to the DA, Amya Williams ran away from the home and was arrested about a block away at an apartment complex. Meanwhile, the destroyed home burst into flames. Firefighters rushed to the scene, and one of the first responders had to be treated for dehydration.

Padron was not at home at the time, but describes rushing back to see the destruction.

"As we turned the corner and saw the house, I went, 'Oh my God.' I couldn't believe it, I go, 'Oh,'" Padron said.

According to Pasadena's pursuit policy, there is no mention of whether pursuits are allowed on residential streets. It does state, "whenever the risk to the public or to the officer outweighs the immediate need to apprehend the suspect, the officer will terminate the pursuit." And that "a pursuit should not be engaged for any class C misdemeanor or other misdemeanor where the identity of the violator is known or likely can be determined."

Police scanner audio also raises concerns that the alleged theft that led to the pursuit was not a good enough reason to engage. Dispatch can be heard saying, "Correct, if it is not a felony theft, shut it down."

Now facing a destroyed home and needing to start from scratch, this family said they want the pursuit policy to be explicit.

"They shouldn't because there are kids running through here, people, pets. It's a crowded neighborhood, there shouldn't be anybody chasing anybody through here at that speed," Blanco said.

Blanco said his mother-in-law was uninsured and unable to afford home insurance. Now they are struggling to find out how they'll recoup the total loss.

According to the DA's office, Amya Williams and Chastity Robinson are facing misdemeanor charges for evading arrest. Amontre Williams is facing a felony for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

ABC13 reached out to the Pasadena Police Department to ask about how this chase fits into their policy. The police department said they are reviewing their policy and will get back to ABC13.

The chase started in Pasadena but ended in the city of South Houston's jurisdiction. That police department there told ABC13 they did respond to the scene but are not involved at this time.

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