Manhunt continues for Katy ISD officer abducted at gunpoint | TOP STORIES | KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas
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crazy
I hope it's not a murder-suicide...but it doesn't sound good...time is passing...:blink:
I saw the alert on the highway signs on the road heading into Mexico,he won't be crossing into mexico without being seen,and it's only a matter of time before the trucks spotted with it being posted on all the highway alert signs.Goes to prove even cops can go bad
WALLER COUNTY, Texas—A statewide manhunt was launched Tuesday after deputies say a Katy ISD police officer was abducted by a fellow cop.
Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith said Officer Rachel Hillsman was taken from her vehicle at gunpoint by her former boyfriend Julio Reyes, who also works for Katy ISD police.
It happened around 5 a.m. on FM 1458 in Waller County. Hillsman, 24, was opening the gate to her mother's house when she was grabbed in front of her two children. She may have been handcuffed.
Officials believe 38-year-old Reyes was armed with an AR-15 assault rifle, a pistol and a Taser at the time of the abduction.
“Mr. Reyes is a trained individual. He would be trained in hiding if he wanted to, so we’re going to have to use every resource that we can to find him,” Smith said.
Smith said a statewide search was under way for both officers, and an aggravated kidnapping warrant had been issued for Reyes in Waller County.
“Our number one concern at this time, obviously, is the safety of both of these officers,” Smith said.
Relatives of Hillsman said they were shocked that the man they know as Trey could do something like this.
"I'm scared, I'm just very scared and if Trey can see just please bring Rachel home, please," said Ava Henry, Hillsman's aunt.
Smith said Hillsman and Reyes have a 13-month-old daughter together and she has a 7-year-old from a previous relationship.
“We do know that they have not been living together for quite some time, but we do not know all of the personal information about it,” Smith said.
The couple had separated in November, but sources say they had fought the night before because she was seeing was someone new. Hillsman had reportedly spent the night at her mother’s because of the fight.
After interviewing a child at the scene, deputies learned there was a small struggle between Hillsman and Reyes on the side of the road before the abduction, Smith said.
Smith said both the child that was interviewed and the couple’s toddler were unharmed and were put safely in their grandmother’s custody.
Smith said his department was working with the DPS, DEA, Harris County, the Texas Rangers, the Brookshire PD and other agencies in their search for the officers, and that they were utilizing all available resources.
Investigators were combing local roadways and hotels, as well as searching from the air, Smith said.
“Anytime you have a live abduction that was seen firsthand that officers were able to respond to immediately, then we’re going to put in every resource we can. Obviously with both of them being police officers, I’m not going to stand before you and tell you that’s not a concern,” Smith said.
Smith said the last verified communication with the officers was around 8 a.m. in the Katy Freeway area.
Both Hillsman and Reyes were described as experienced cops.
Katy ISD spokesman Steve Stanford said Reyes had been with the district’s police department since May of 1999, and Hillsman had been there since January of 2006.
Stanford said neither one of them was on duty at the time of the alleged abduction, but that Hillsman was on her way to work when it occurred.
Reyes was last seen driving a 2002 green Ford Super Duty pickup with license plate 87V-DP7.
If you see the truck or have any information on the case, call the police.
“This is a serious situation, no matter who it is, when this type of thing happens, and we’re going to be out there looking for them,” Smith said.
Yeah, that's my fear, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by retsupt99
I've said it before but it rings true here also. The only place the police have to recruit is the human race. And the human race ain't perfect.
They have been located at a vacant house near her home. SWAT team on site and negotiating right now.
I hope this turns out in a positive manner and not a bloody out come!
They have him surrounded with Dallas Swat team in a house,possible shots fired at HPD officers
A happy ending
Quote:
Police say the kidnapped officer has been set free. Officer Rachel Hillsman ran out of the vacant home she was held captive in and into an ambulance around 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Katy ISD officer kidnapped
The Katy ISD cop accused of abducting Hillsman is dead, sources said. They say Officer Julio Reyes shot himself.
Sources also say that while Hillsman was upset and crying when she left the house, she appeared unhurt.
SWAT had spent the day outside the vacant home after deputies say Reyes shot at officers who were searching the neighborhood near Officer Rachel Hillsman’s Brookshire home.
Armored vehicles shielded SWAT officers as they entered a home next door.
Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith said Hillsman, 24, was leaving her mother’s house with her two kids on FM 1458 when Reyes, 38, kidnapped her at gunpoint on Tuesday morning.
Deputies interviewed Hillsman’s 7-year-old daughter, who said there was a struggle before Reyes got Hillsman into his pickup truck and drove off.
Smith said the 7-year-old was Hillsman’s child from a previous relationship, and Reyes was the father of the 13-month-old.
Both children were unharmed, and Smith said they were put in the custody of their grandmother.
While details on Hillsman and Reyes’ relationship are unclear, investigators believe they had a fight the night before the abduction and that Reyes may have verbally threatened Hillsman.
Smith said that’s why she was staying at her mother’s house.
A SWAT team was called after a report of shots fired in Waller County.
When they were spotted Wednesday afternoon, a small army of officers led by the Texas Rangers swooped into the Brookshire neighborhood.
Officers crouched behind their vehicles, weapons drawn, as negotiators and family members tried to convince Reyes to end the standoff.
When Reyes did not negotiate, police lines were pushed back to expand the scene, and a ground ambulance was brought in.
Investigators believe the abduction may have been planned ahead of time, citing items purchased by Reyes in the hours leading up to the incident and recent conversations he’d had.
Smith said it’s very likely that Reyes already had the hiding place set up.
Okay if he threatened her the night before,why wasn't the threat reported and his weapons confiscated,She apparently didn't want to risk his job and thought he was just mad,just like all the other B/F's or husbands that kidnap and kill their partners when they don't want to be with them anymore,At least he decided to let her live and just killed himself
I'm glad to see the woman survived, and she doesn't have to worry about her unstable ex-boyfriend threatening her again.
A win-win situation IMO.
Sadly, many of the women involved in these types of situations aren't as lucky as this young lady was.
Agreed. He fouled up big time, but at least he made it right in the end...if there ever is a right in this situation. It's nice the BG takes themselves out of the gene pool and not take anyone with them for a change. Hope the kid is ok.Quote:
Originally Posted by dukalmighty
Glad that ended without a murder at least.