Video: Suspect Wrecks Van During Chase

HOUSTON - Police chased a suspect in a stolen Ford Econoline van through River Oaks and into southwest Houston during rush hour.

Police say the man drove off with Rodolfo Badillo's work van, loaded with tools. The vehicle had been parked outside a house where Badillo was doing renovation work, with the keys sitting in the drink holder.

When Badillo discovered his van missing, his co-worker drove around looking for it. It wasn't long before Albert Villegas spotted the suspect driving the missing van. He followed and called police, who quickly caught up.

"The cops were ahead," said Villegas, "so I just let him go; I took a left. Well, he took two lefts and he took a left directly where I was at. And I had to swerve off the road; he almost hit me."

The van thief did hit at least two other drivers, who suffered minor injuries.

He successfully avoided a pair of spike strips, thrown by police officers.

But the damaged van was stopped and boxed in by squad cars along the Southwest Freeway feeder road near Bissonnet.

Officers pulled the man out and arrested him.

"We're suspecting he's under the influence of hallucinogens or narcotics," said Houston police Lt. John Zitzmann. "We're gonna find out."