HOUSTON – One suspect was killed and another got away after a truck driver caught the two trying to burglarize his 18-wheeler Tuesday night, according to Harris County Sheriff’s deputies.
The 60-year-old suspect and an accomplice were caught breaking into a big rig parked in the 8500 block of C.E. King Parkway at Tidwell around 10:15 p.m.
The truck driver’s wife was taking him to bring a load of tools to his 18-wheeler and, when the two arrived, they spotted suspects inside the rig
Investigators said the driver approached the truck, but when he opened the door, one of the suspects started attacking him with a metal pipe.
The two struggled, and at some point, the driver snatched the pipe away and started beating the suspect with it, deputies said.
That suspect was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. His identity has not been released. The second suspect got away and was still on the run Tuesday evening.
Other truckers who store their rigs in the area said they’ve been targeted time and time again by thieves.
"Just here in our lot, we’ve had about five break-ins – some during the day, some at night," Jose Renteria said.
Now, a grand jury will decide if the driver will face charges.
"You know, he’s obviously shaken up. He’s worried about his family and the fallout of what’s going to go on with the investigation," delivery company owner Scott Drier said. "He’s confident he acted correctly in what he did, but obviously, he’s still nervous."
Given what other rig-owners in the area have been going through, some said they don’t think any charges should be filed.
"I think it definitely sends a message. We’re going to protect ourselves, police or no police. Once you’re on our private property trying to steal what we worked hard for, we have to take things into our own hands. That’s just the way it is," Renteria said.