Traffic Stop Turns to Suspect Pursuit Across the Concho River

A San Angelo man is at large this evening after escaping San Angelo Police during a traffic stop near the Concho River.

Sgt. Matt Baldwin with SAPD said an officer working the Officer Safety Program witnessed a traffic violation off to the east of Roosevelt St. at approximately 8:21 p.m. The officer attempted to stop the driver of a four-door sedan (year and model not yet verified at the time of statement). However, the man stopped, opened the door, ran out of the vehicle and headed westbound toward Rio Concho Dr. and the Concho River.

Baldwin said the vehicle continued to roll, but eventually hit a tree and came to rest close to the River Pointe Apartments. The officer pursued the driver, but he quickly made his way to the river, jumped in, swam across and exited on the west side. SAPD officials set up a perimeter in the area, and several officers went “into the sticks” to track the suspect with a canine.

“It was an unsuccessful track,” Baldwin said. “I don’t know where the guy went from here. There was some identification in [the vehicle], but I don’t have a positive ID as of yet.”

Baldwin added that officers found narcotics in the sedan that have not been tested as of yet. They also found a gun.

The sergeant said the perimeter has been broken down, and there are no indications that the man is armed and dangerous. He simply fled a traffic stop. Baldwin said hopefully SAPD will be able to positively identify the man, test the narcotics, and get out more information out on an arrest.