Brownwood News – On Tuesday, April 24th, Early Police Sergeant Steven Means responded to the 1100 block of Early Boulevard for an unwanted person call. The caller stated a Hispanic male was refusing to leave the property, according to a recent release from the Early Police Department.

 

 

Upon arrival, Sergeant Means was directed by the job site contractor to an individual walking in circles on the parking area. The officer approached the individual to speak with him and request the individual to take his hands out of his pockets. The individual removed one hand but refused to remove the second hand.

The individual would not respond to any verbal orders and refused to communicate with Sergeant Means.

When Sergeant Means reached to pat the subject for weapons, a struggle ensued and the individual was able to pull away from the officer and get in his vehicle. Additional units arrived, and officers continued negotiations with the individual but still were unable to gain compliance. The individual did speak with the officers while he put the vehicle in drive, but did not drive away and at times began telling officers to shoot him.

Early Police Chief David Mercer approached the passenger window of the vehicle and attempted to speak with the suspect. The man told Chief Mercer to “get in” and then began asking the police chief to shoot him.

The man began reaching for something in his pocket, at which time Chief Mercer deployed a Conductive Electrical Weapon (CEW) on the individual which did not seem to affect the him. Chief Mercer fired a second round from the CEW which again did not affect him. After two hits from the stun weapon, the man sped off through the parking lot over curbs and onto the street.



A police chase began on Early Boulevard towards Brownwood. Speed maintained between 40 to 60 miles per hour. The vehicle continued into Brownwood as he slowed due to traffic and signal lights. The suspect then pulled behind several cars at the signal light at East Commerce and Riverside Drive.

The suspect vehicle stopped as law enforcement vehicles came up behind him and beside him. The suspect then turned his vehicle and rammed into Chief Mercer’s vehicle and then sped away, striking a civilian’s vehicle. The pursuit continued at moderate speeds to CC Woodson then down Carnegie in Brownwood, to 3rd Street then to Avenue H where the vehicle stopped.

The suspect sat in his vehicle while officers negotiated with him to step out of the vehicle. Brownwood Police Sergeant Jesse Mares was able to talk him out of the vehicle and then to surrender with no further incident. 

“I want to commend Sergeant Mares for an excellent job convincing the subject to get out of his vehicle and surrendering without further incident,” Early Police Chief David Mercer said in a statement later released. “All law enforcement agencies, including the Early Police Department, Brownwood Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Department, and DPS responded to work together to resolve the situation with no one getting injured.”

The suspect, identified as Oscar Mireles, 43 years old from Brownwood, was arrested and placed into Brown County jail for Resisting Arrest, Evading Arrest and Assault on Public Servant. Mental health services have been requested for an evaluation due to suicidal threats and family stating the man may not have been taking his medications.