Alice Bank Robbery Ends with Officer Shot and Suspect Killed

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KIIITV News

April 10, 2008

High-action police drama near Alice Thursday in the aftermath of a bank robbery.

Police chased the one robbery suspect to a brushy area near County Road 341 and FM 665 near the Alice Airport. It's where one officer was shot, two others were injured, and the suspect was shot dead.

The injured officers have been identified. Officer Danny Elizondo was shot in the leg. The bullet didn't hit a bone or any major artery. He's expected to be fine. The other two officers, Sgt. Antonio Aguilar, and Sgt. J.R. Resendez were injured after the unmarked unit they were in crashed during a pursuit.

Police say it was Elizondo who managed to fatally shoot one of the armed bank robbery suspects. The body of 22 year old Juan Villarreal was removed from the brush off of County Road 341 around 3:30 Thursday afternoon.

Police say the other suspect John Eric Garza was arrested in a nearby getaway truck, by an observant Alice Police K-9 handler, Sgt. Albert Martinez. Inside Garza's truck, police say they found bottles of gasoline.

Alice Police initially thought there might be a third accomplice, and combed a 25 acre brushy area with the help of about a dozen other law enforcement agencies, both state and federal. In the end, police say they found no evidence of a third person being involved,

"I've always been proud of my officers, especially today," said Alice Police Chief Danny Bueno.

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 9:23 AM Member of the Villarreal Family wrote ...

You shouldnt look at this as some kind of success, a man was killed and the fact that he would rob a bank does not make him a bad person. He shot a cop in the leg when he could of shot him in the head he didnt want to kill that cop. I am in no way saying what he did was wrong but dont act like the cops did a good job a good job would be apprehending him not killing him. I understand they felt they had no choice but was allot of insured money that could easily be replaced worth this mans life?

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Saturday, Apr 12 at 8:42 PM thernandez wrote ...

Everything happen so fast it really scared me and I too say job well done officers.

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Friday, Apr 11 at 4:40 PM lulu wrote ...

there was no need 2 kill the guy..all u had 2 do was hurt him..he didnt kill any cops..my condolences go out 2 his family as u realize he does have loved ones..

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Friday, Apr 11 at 2:51 PM unknown wrote ...

Great Job, Alice Police! God Bless the three officers injured!

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Friday, Apr 11 at 8:51 AM Pete Trevino wrote ...

We usually see things of this nature on TV and never expect to happen in our own backyard. Thanks to the dedicated Officer's from the Alice Police Department and all agencies involved the destruction was limited! Daniel Elizondo, Mr. Resendez and Mr. Aguilar, it's Officer's like you'll that the community appreciates so much. We pray that you'll recover and resume normal life as soon as possible. Thanks again for protecting my friends that work at the bank and for protecting the community.

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Friday, Apr 11 at 6:34 AM colin cameron wrote ...

job very well done.hope the officers that were hurt make a quick recovery.remember, gun controll is,being able to hit your target!good job.

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Friday, Apr 11 at 12:23 AM avenge91101 wrote ...

Bravo! I am proud of our Alice police officers.

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Thursday, Apr 10 at 8:44 PM proud x-dispatcher wrote ...

i've always known our police department were the best,and today they stepped up to the plate and did what was expected, how they are trained. good job alice police officers, god bless you and keep you safe

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