JIM WELLS COUNTY (Kiii News) -
Jim Wells County authorities said one man tried to take the law into his own hands after he saw someone driving away with his friend's truck Tuesday morning.
It's not the kind of thing that happens every day. In fact, authorities are calling it very unusual, as one man tried to seek justice with his own hands.
It actually started in Duval County at around 7 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities said 49-year old Pat Rogers and a friend were eating at the Tex Mex restaurant in San Diego, when a man who lives across the street, 23-year old Felix Olivares drove off with Rogers' friend's red pickup truck.
Officials said that, when the victim noticed his truck was being stolen, he and Rogers got into another vehicle and began to give chase. They also called 911.
Authorities said a San Diego Police Officer followed Olivares in the truck as well. Olivares headed north on County Road 145, just west of Alice in Jim Wells County, and finally came to a stop in the San Diego Cemetery. That was when Rogers pulled out a .9mm handgun.
San Diego police told Rogers to put away his weapon, but Rogers would not listen and fired two rounds at the red truck, striking right above the gas tank as Olivares began to drive away.
"First of all, you shouldn't have your weapon drawn around an officer, you know. You shouldn't take the law into your own hands," said Lt. Carlos Araujo of the Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office. "Second of all, when an officer does tell you to put your weapon away, even if you're a concealed handgun carrier, you still have laws to follow."
Authorities said Olivares drove for about another 100 yards before bailing from the vehicle, which at that point became fully engulfed in flames. Olivares was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest. Rogers was charged with deadly conduct.
Rogers has already been released from jail on a $1,000 bond, set by Justice of the Peace Juan Rodriguez.
