Officer injured in attempt to apprehend Lampasas man

On Monday at 11:40 p.m., Lampasas Police Officer Jeremy Stewart observed an untitled vehicle traveling southbound on Key Avenue without headlights.

Stewart attempted to conduct a traffic stop for the violation that resulted in a vehicle pursuit.

The driver of the vehicle, Mitchell Colby Gardner, 22, of Lampasas was stopped in the 600 block of North Broad and fled on foot.

Stewart, along with Lampasas County Sheriff's Department Deputy Benito Uvalle, pursued the suspect on foot which resulted in Gardner's capture.

During a search of the suspect, officials found items indicating the vehicle had been taken from Hoffpauir Ford-Mercury, and the dealership also was burglarized, said local officials.

Upon further investigation, officials discovered an ambulance owned by Capital Ambulance had been broken into on the lot, and medical supplies were taken.

A third vehicle on the automobile dealer's lot also was entered and crashed into another vehicle.

Stewart was injured during the incident and was transported to Rollins Brook Community Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Gardner was charged with assault on a public servant, burglary of a building, burglary of a vehicle, evading arrest with a vehicle, evading arrest on foot, theft over $20,000 and under $100,000, criminal mischief over $1,500 and under $20,000, possession of burglary tools, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Bonds were set at $2,500 per charge. At press time Thursday morning, he remained in the Lampasas County Jail.