Chase suspect crashes into vehicles at River Oaks shopping center; two in custody, police say

Stolen car crashes into other vehicles in Highland Village

A stolen vehicle crashed into several vehicles in Highland Village causing damage. FOX 26's Karys Belger has more. 

HOUSTON - Two suspects are in custody following a chase that led to a crash at a shopping center in Houston's River Oaks area. Witnesses say they heard the crash from inside nearby stores before running to the windows to see what happened.

"We heard a huge crash… everybody flew to the front windows… and he just careened through this row," Dana Rumpfort told FOX 26.

Chase, crash at River Oaks shopping center

What we know:

The crash happened at the Highland Village shopping center on Westheimer Road near Drexel Drive. It happened in the middle of the day as shoppers were inside nearby stores, including Williams-Sonoma and the Apple Store.

"I hear a bunch of sirens… I see this truck barrel around the corner… I’m like, oh my gosh, there’s a police chase happening right in front of me."

Police say the suspect crashed into four vehicles during the chase after driving into the Highland Village parking lot.

Before the chase, officers in an unmarked patrol vehicle were said to be following two known auto theft suspects. One of the suspects left the pair's vehicle, then police allegedly saw him steal a vehicle in a parking garage. A sergeant at the scene said officers saw the suspect leaving the garage in the stolen vehicle moments later.

The suspect reportedly drove off in the stolen vehicle, and the unmarked patrol car tried to follow, but police were losing the suspect in traffic. Investigators noted congestion in the area was heavier than normal at the time.. Because of that, they called officers in marked vehicles to go after the suspect.

According to a sergeant at the crash scene, the suspect saw the marked cars, then took off once his light turned green.

Police blocked the suspect from going onto a nearby freeway, so the suspect turned onto Westheimer. Authorities say the suspect then drove across the median, into the Highland Village parking lot, and crashed into four vehicles.

The suspect left the lot, and another marked patrol unit went after. After another short chase, the suspect allegedly tried to run from officers, but was eventually detained.

Police say the person who dropped off the chase suspect was arrested during a traffic stop.

No injuries have been reported at this time.

What we don't know:

The suspects have not been identified at this time.

What's next:

Police say the chase suspect is being charged with evading arrest, theft, and criminal mischief.