Elderly Man Charged in Officer Assault

HOUSTON - A burglary suspect has been arrested and charged in the aggravated assault of a police officer in southwest Houston.

Wilbert Lee Cunningham, 67, was charged with aggravated assault of a public servant after investigators say he tried to run over an off-duty Houston Police Department officer with a vehicle on Saturday.

The officer, who was working a second job as a security guard at the 7300 block of Airport Boulevard, saw Cunningham allegedly enter an enclosed work yard and began to steal scrap metal. When the officer tried to arrest Cunningham, the suspect drove the vehicle into the officer's direction.

Investigators say the officer fired his duty weapon toward the front of the oncoming vehicle. Cunningham is accused of striking the officer with the vehicle before bringing it to a stop.

After Cunningham walked out of the vehicle and allegedly began to struggle with the officer, the officer was able to place Cunningham under arrest.

Cunningham has a history of scrap metal thefts at the same address.