Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe announced the identities of three suspects involved in a stolen car pursuit early Tuesday that led to a deputy getting hit by a police car.
Rowe said the operation related to “gang and street crime suppression.”
“During the course of that, one of our patrol officers came in contact with a vehicle that was identified as stolen. As soon as the officer tried to initiate a traffic stop, the driver chose instead to go ahead and try to escape,” Rowe explained.
Slaton Police officers were also involved in the chase as the car headed into Slaton city limits.
The pursuit went “through some fields and until a point where the vehicle stopped and ultimately three suspects got out of the vehicle and tried to escape on foot,” Rowe said.
The three individuals were identified as Adrian Minjarez, 26; Adelaida Robles, 22; and Juan Garcia, 23.
“Fortunately the officer only sustained some minor injuries. So we’re all thankful on that note,” said Rowe.
“Given the situation, the nature of that, we all recognize that could have been far worse,” Rowe added. He stated that he hoped for better ongoing communication between agencies to avoid future injuries.
“Obviously we’ll be having some conversations about is… we do have a communication gap there that I certainly want to look at and review,” said the Sheriff.
