By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
A traffic stop on FM 2090 in Splendora just around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday led to a pursuit into Liberty County and an alleged attack on police, according to a statement from Splendora Police Department’s spokesperson Lt. James “Troy” Teller.
Officer R. Davis pulled over a 2001 Ford F-150 for an alleged speeding violation. The driver, who reportedly provided police with a false name of “Ramero Rojos,” did not have any form of identification on him, so Officer Davis ran his fingerprints through a portable Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
A check on the driver’s identity confirmed that he is Alejandro Monge-Reyes, 32, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, who has been previously deported, according to Teller.
When Davis went to confront Monge-Reyes with the information about his correct identity, Monge-Reyes reportedly sped away. Davis pursued the vehicle from Montgomery County into Liberty County, with the route taking him along CR 3558 just south of Plum Grove where the couple lives.
As Davis pursued Monge-Reyes’ vehicle, he was intercepted by a second vehicle, which police later found out was driven by the suspect’s wife, Claudia Rojas, 25.
According to Teller, Rojas drove directly toward Davis’ police cruiser, nearly striking him. She reportedly attempted to strike the vehicle three more times in an effort to prevent the pursuit of her husband.
Meanwhile, Monge-Reyes’ truck had become stuck. He fled the vehicle and was picked up by Rojas.
“Officer Davis caught up to Rojas, when [she] struck Officer Davis’ patrol vehicle,” Teller said. “The pursuit ended a short distance away when Alejandro fled on foot and was detained.”
Teller said the wife admitted to police that she interfered with the pursuit in order to help her husband escape and avoid deportation.
According to Teller, the husband and wife work together at a Denny’s Restaurant on FM 242 in Montgomery County. She reportedly manages the restaurant and he works as a cook, Teller said.
Rojas is charged with Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon against a Peace Officer and is being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a bond of $55,000. Monge-Reyes is charged with Felony Evading With a Motor Vehicle and is being held on a $60,000 and a detention hold by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).