33-Year-Old Stolen Vehicle Suspect Arrested After Joint Agency Pursuit

SAN ANGELO, TX - This morning, at approximately 8:40 a.m. this morning, San Angelo Police dispatched to the area of First Baptist Church in the unit block of E. Harris Avenue to assist DPS Troopers Alderete and McCary in a pursuit of a stolen vehicle.  

SAPD Public Information Officer Tracy Gonzalez said responding units converged on the area and learned the suspect abandoned the stolen vehicle in front of the church annex, fled on foot, and ran inside the First Christian Church located at 29 N. Oakes Street.  

"The Troopers reportedly searched the church and met a witness who said the suspect ran back out of the church northbound on Oakes Street towards the Central Freshman Campus," said Gonzalez. "Coincidentally, SAPD Cold Case Detective Jim Coleman and DPS Texas Ranger Philip Kemp, who were working together on an unrelated case, were monitoring radio traffic regarding the chase when they suddenly observed a man who matched the description of the fleeing suspect at 7th and Oakes. The duo apprehended and detained the man."

Gonzalez added that Troopers Alderete and McCary took custody of the man and confirmed he was the suspect who fled from them.  

"The man was identified as Tommy Gutierrez, 33, of San Angelo," said Gonzalez.

The Troopers noted that the initial pursuit began after the owner of the vehicle flagged them down and said a man just stole his truck parked outside the Angry Cactus restaurant on W. Concho.  

Gonzalez said, "During the chase, Gutierrez fled at excessive speeds through Downtown San Angelo. At one point, Gutierrez left the roadway and drove onto the sidewalk near Myer’s Drug where he collided with two Handicap signs. No one was injured during the pursuit."

Gutierrez was transported to the Tom Green County Jail and charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Evading Arrest Detention with Vehicle. Gutierrez was issued citations for No Driver’s License, Fail to Control Speed, and Fail to Stop and Leave Information upon Striking a Fixture.  

This is Gutierrez's 10th arrest in Tom Green County.