Police: Suspect Arrested for Sunday's Aggravated Assault of Police Officer

Just before 6 a.m. Sunday morning, police responded to the 200 block of Westwood for an unknown problem. Upon arrival, Officer Matthew Faz observed a crowd of people standing around a beige 2007 Nissan Altima. He got out on foot to investigate, police report.

As Faz approached the front of the Altima, the driver started to drive forward towards the officer, the report states.

Faz put his hands up and told the driver to stop. Instead of stopping, the driver accelerated towards the officer. Faz attempted to jump out of the way but was struck by the Nissan as it made its getaway.

Faz sustained minor injuries and was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment.

Back at the crash scene, Officer Josh Loudermilk with the Traffic Division and Detective Kelly Lajoie with the Criminal Investigation Division conducted an investigation. 

During the Investigation, the suspect vehicle was located by Tom Green County Sheriff’s Deputies at the Stripes convenience store at 1616 Howard Street.

Synda Manning was located with the vehicle. Manning was a passenger inside the Nissan when Officer Faz was hit. Manning was arrested for public intoxication. 

Through investigation, and now with a witness, police learned the driver of the vehicle had been 27-year-old Jeremy Richard Zapata.

Detectives with the Special Operations Unit responded to assist in locating Zapata. Information led to Zapta being located at 8:20 a.m. in the 900 block of Shiloh. Zapta was taken into custody without incident.

Following the investigation, Zapata was transported to the Tom Green County Jail where he was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant with a Deadly Weapon.

Officer Faz's injuries were non-incapacitating and he has since been released from Community Hospital Sunday morning.