NEWS RELEASE FROM TYLER POLICE DEPARTMENT:

On 08-29-2011, at around 6:45 p.m., a Tyler police officer was off duty on his way to work in his private vehicle when he observed another motorist who he knew was wanted by our agency for an outstanding arrest warrant. He called our dispatch center and an officer was sent to stop the suspect vehicle. The responding officer located the vehicle about half a mile outside Loop 323, on Frankston Highway (State Highway 155 South). The officer initiated a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. Once stopped, the wanted male got out of the car and fled on foot, running into the woods. The officer gave chase, but lost sight of the suspect.

An alert citizen spotted the suspect hiding in a gravel pit near the intersection of County Road 1114 and County Road 1121. The citizen notified officers and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect is identified as Irvin Perez, 18 years of age, from Tyler. He was booked into Smith County Jail for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a felony offense.