Police: Suspect Charged for Wielding Handgun at Walmart Employee Then Fleeing in a Chevy Cruze

A San Angelo police officer was injured early this morning, but after a check-up at Shannon Medical Center, was treated and released this morning, San Angelo police stated in a press release this afternoon.

According to the press release, at 12:25 a.m. Wednesday morning, San Angelo Police were dispatched to the Walmart at 5501 Sherwood Way for an assault.  Dispatch was informed a male subject had assaulted his girlfriend inside Walmart.  The assault was also observed by a Walmart employee.  While Officers were en route, police were informed that a Walmart employee told the 17-year-old female victim to get away from the male suspect.  Then, the male suspect pulled out a gun and pointed it at the Walmart employee.

The suspect and victim left the store in a black 2016 Chevrolet Cruze.  As Officers arrived at Walmart, the Chevrolet Cruze was seen leaving the area.  Police attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle but the suspect Cruze drove away at a high rate of speed.  The pursuit continued east on Sherwood Way to the intersection of Sherwood Way and Garfield.  The suspect attempted to turn north on Garfield and lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an occupied SAPD Patrol vehicle that was parked in the Stripes parking lot.  An SAPD officer was injured in the crash. The injured officer was rushed to Shannon Medical Center were the officer was was treated and later released with only minor injuries.

The suspect was taken into custody without further incident and was identified as 19-year-old David Salas.  Salas was found to be in possession of marijuana and pills for which he did not have a prescription during a search after to his arrest.

The 17-year-old female victim of the assault was transported to Shannon where she was treated for her injuries, police stated.

Detective Matthew Hawthorne was contacted and responded to conduct an investigation.  At the conclusion of the investigation, Salas was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 3 < 28 grams, Class A Misdemeanor Assault Family Violence, Evading in a Motor Vehicle, and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.