Houston officers commandeer Uber to pursue fleeing suspect, driver assists
Two Houston police officers jumped into an Uber on Aug. 8, enlisting driver Anthony Baines to help chase a suspect who had fled a violent incident.
On Aug. 8, Houston police responded to a call about an armed individual threatening a family at a pool. As the suspect fled, officers gave chase on foot, but one officer was outrun. The officer then boarded the passenger side of an Uber driven by Anthony Baines, a veteran of the US Army, and shouted for the driver to pursue.
Baines kept his composure, allowing the second officer to join the ride before the police returned to their patrol car and the suspect got away. Baines later described the episode as something he expected only in movies. The Houston Police Officer’s Union said no rule bars officers from such actions, and the department commended Baines for his help. The incident was captured on dashcam and shared by local media.
Why it matters
It shows how police sometimes rely on civilians during emergencies, raising questions about protocol and public safety.
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