Suspect In Aggravated Assault Against Cop Arrested: Austin PD

AUSTIN, TX — Police on Tuesday said the suspect in a Christmas Eve attack on an officer who was shot at while on a service call was arrested in Leander.

Prior to the arrest, the suspect was identified on Monday as Louis Rhyne, 41, according to a police advisory. Police issued an update on Tuesday saying Rhyne had been arrested that morning without incident along the 10700 block of East Crystal Falls Parkway in Leander.

The officer involved had responded to an alarm call just past midnight on Thursday near Travis Green Lane and Hero Drive in the southwest portion of Austin. Once at the scene, according to the police department, the officer while in his patrol car noticed a passing vehicle had duct tape obstructing the license plate. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver sped off at a high speed while several shots were fired at the officer, according to an advisory.

During the short pursuit, police said, the suspect began to drive on the wrong side of the roadway — prompting officers in pursuit to end the chase. The suspect's vehicle was located a short time later crashed and abandoned at a nearby apartment complex parking lot, police said, after which time a perimeter was set up and a search ensued.

Previous coverage: Austin Police Officer Shot At During Service Call

Police issued an arrest warrant for Rhyne, who faces charges of aggravated assault on a police officer for which bond has been set at $1 million. This charge is in addition to the three outstanding felony warrants for motions to revoke personal recognizance bonds for burglary of vehicle with two or more prior convictions, theft of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to police.

An $11,000 reward had been offered for information leading to Rhyne's arrest. "The information leading to the arrest came from anonymous tips provided to Capital Area Crime Stoppers," police wrote in an advisory. "These individuals, to whom we are very grateful, will be eligible for reward money."

In addition to a Capital Area Crime Stoppers reward of up to $1,000, several other organizations contributed to the coffers, including Austin Cops for Charities, which contributed $3,000; Austin Police Association, pitching in $2,000; and Greater Austin Crime Commission, adding $5,000 to the pot.