Houston Police Hunt for Suspect Accused of Gunning Down Deputy
Source Houston Chronicle
Houston police on Monday said they believe they know the identity of the driver who shot and killed a deputy constable during a late-night traffic stop over the weekend — and are asking the community's help in finding him.
Oscar Rosales, 51, will be charged with capital murder and remains on the run, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner told media during a news conference. He's accused of shooting Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office Corporal Charles Galloway dead in his patrol SUV in the 9100 block of Beechnut Street around 12:45 a.m. Sunday. After the shooting, the driver sped off and was never apprehended. Police have since recovered the white car that was stopped, Finner said.
Video obtained by investigators reportedly captured the shooting and helped identify Rosales as detective's main suspect, Finner said. He did not specify where the video originated. Finner also did not say whether Galloway had given dispatch the vehicle's license plate number. The corporal's in-car computer might have been damaged in the shooting, according to archived police radio traffic.
Police released an undated photo of Rosales during the press conference. Finner noted that Rosales might have changed his appearance since the shooting. Detectives believe he is still in Houston.
"We're bringing the strong arm and eyes of our community," Finner said announcing the charges.
Part of that pressure comes from a hefty reward offered as part of the Houston PD's manhunt. Kim Ogg, Harris County's district attorney, warned Rosales that "$60,000 from the Fallen Heros Fund and Tilman Fertitta is on your head" and added later that Rosales was "on the run, and somebody out there knows where he is. Mr. Rosales, you can run but you can't hide."
Two of Rosales' family members are already behind bars accused of tampering with the vehicle, Ogg said.
Rosales is considered "armed and dangerous," Finner said. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call police.
___
(c)2022 the Houston Chronicle
Visit the Houston Chronicle at www.chron.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
