Officers shoot suspect after phone store robbery, carjacking

Deputies shot and wounded an armed robbery suspect in north Harris County on Wednesday night after he allegedly carjacked a man, led them on a chase and opened fire on the officers, according to the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office.

The chase ended at an apartment complex entrance in the 13000 block of Ella, the constable’s office said in a news release. The suspect, who was not identified, was transported to Memorial Hermann hospital, Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said late Wednesday. His condition was not available.

Authorities said the suspect and another man had robbed a Metro PCS mobile phone store in the 22600 block of Aldine Westfield Road on Wednesday afternoon. Deputy constables spotted the vehicle in the 9300 block of FM 1960, but the driver refused to stop.

Both robbery suspects eventually fled the vehicle in the 4100 block of Wyanngate Drive and ran into a wooded area, according to the news release.

Deputies searched the Aldine Westfield, Cypresswood and Hirschfield areas for the suspects.

The driver, later identified as 35-year-old Justice Toran, was taken into custody, but the other suspect evaded capture.

Hirsch Elementary, Winship Elementary and Twin Creeks Middle schools all were placed on lockdown around 2:30 p.m. due to the search, a spokeswoman for the school district confirmed. The search was called off because of safety concerns as several area schools began dismissing classes.

Around 8 p.m., authorities said, the second suspect surfaced, carjacking a man in the same area before leading deputies on a 10-minute chase. The suspect pulled into the entrance of an apartment complex and tried to flee on foot, eventually firing at deputies, Herman said.

At least three deputies returned fire, striking the suspect in the head, leg and shoulder, Herman said.

Justice was taken to the Harris County Jail and faces charges of aggravated robbery, evading in a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance, heroin.