Civilians rush in, handcuff man while officer incapacitated with cracked ribs
SAN ANGELO TX May 9 2018  — The San Angelo Police Department is hailing a group of private citizens as “Good Samaritans” after they rushed in to aid a police officer who lay incapacitated while trying to arrest a man suspected of pointing a gun at passing vehicles.
About 12:45 p.m. Sunday, May 6, a patrol officer responded to the area of Sherwood Way and Southwest Boulevard after hearing reports of a man pointing a firearm at passing vehicles, according to a news release.
The officer found the man near Cinemark Tinseltown, but the man fled through the parking lot and into a nearby field, police said.
“About four or five private citizens” who watched the foot chase unfold responded to aid the officer, according to SAPD Public Information Officer Tracy Gonzalez.
The officer suffered several cracked ribs and a bruised lung while apprehending the man, the news release stated.
“The patrol officer, a 36-year-old 9-year veteran with the force, credits the ‘Good Samaritans’ for handcuffing the suspect while he was momentarily incapacitated,” the release stated. The officer was taken to a hospital and later released.
Gilbert Lee Barrientos, 29, was arrested on suspicion of evading arrest and booked into the Tom Green County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Police later found and seized a BB/pellet gun near the arrest location, according to the news release.
A post on the San Angelo Police Department’s website stated the officer wanted to “personally thank” each of the people who helped and noted: “We are extremely blessed to serve in a community that supports law enforcement.”
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