16/07/2020
PUBLIC RELEASE
July 15, 2020
On Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at approximately 11:43 PM, Precinct 8 Deputy M. Mitchell was on patrol in the area of Almeda Genoa Rd. and the Gulf Freeway feeder when he heard numerous gun shots coming from the main lanes of the freeway. Deputy Mitchell observed a four door vehicle driving at a high rate of speed southbound on the main lanes and heard more gun shots as it passed. He entered the freeway and was able to catch up to the vehicle, which was still traveling at a high rate of speed. When Deputy Mitchell got behind the vehicle, he was able to relay the license plate number being displayed to Precinct 8 dispatchers who advised the plate did return as being valid. The driver, apparently noticing Deputy Mitchell behind him, made a quick lane change and got onto the westbound entrance ramp to the Sam Houston Parkway. At that time, Deputy Mitchell activated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop in the 11300 block of the S Sam Houston Pkwy W.
Deputy Mitchell, along with other Deputies on the scene, conducted a felony stop on the vehicle. When the driver, later identified as 21 year old Freddy Aragon, exited the vehicle, a spent shell casing fell out of his lap onto the ground. At that time, Aragon was detained and placed in the back of Deputy Mitchell’s patrol car. Deputies then detained four other passengers and identified them as 18 year old Nicholas Perez, 19 year old Carlos Flores, 18 year old Andrew Garza and a 22 year old unnamed female. All five suspects were detained and placed in the back seat of marked patrol cars.
After all the occupants were detained, Deputies began to conduct a search of the vehicle. They observed a black AR-15 rifle laying up against the driver’s seat where Aragon was sitting. On top of the AR-15 was a backpack which contained 7 vacuumed sealed bags of ma*****na each weighing 3.5 grams, two glass containers containing ma*****na which weighed a total of 90 grams, 10 THC v**e cartridges, a pill bottle containing18 Xanex pills and a scale. In the back seat, Deputies located two handguns; an H&K 9mm and a Smith & Wesson 9mm. Deputies also located shell casings in the back seat floor board where Garza, Flores, and Perez were seated and shell casings in the front driver seat floor board where Aragon was seated. After patting each suspect down, Deputies located a small clear baggie on Carlos Flores with a white powdery substance inside presumed to be co***ne.
Through on-scene investigation, Deputies learned that Flores, Perez and Garza pulled out the handguns and began shooting them out of the vehicle’s windows while travelling on the freeway. It was determined the AR-15 had not been fired. Statements provided to Deputies matched the evidence recovered.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office was contacted and accepted several charges on the four males. They were ultimately transported and booked into the Harris County Jail.
Freddy Aragon was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and Deadly Conduct. He was later released in lieu of a $21,500 bond.
Carlos Flores was charged with Unlawful Carry of a Weapon and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was later released in lieu of a $7500 bond.
Andrew Garza was charged with Unlawful Carry of a Weapon and Violation of a Protection Order. He was later released in lieu of a $12500 bond.
Nicholas Perez was charged with Unlawful Carry of a Weapon. He was later released in lieu of a $5000 bond.
The 22 year old female was not charged and was later released.