West Texan fatally shot, allegedly tried to steal patrol SUV

TAHOKA, Texas (AP) - Deputies in West Texas have fatally shot a handcuffed man who allegedly tried to steal a law enforcement SUV.

The Department of Public Safety on Tuesday identified the man as 24-year-old Joshua Omar Garcia of Lamesa (luh-MEE’-suh).

A Lynn County sheriff’s deputy on Monday morning tried to pull over Garcia’s car in Tahoka (tuh-HOK’-kuh), prompting a chase.

DPS Sgt. Bryan Witt says Garcia’s car collided with a patrol vehicle. Garcia hands were cuffed behind him and he was put into the front of a sheriff’s SUV.

Witt says deputies were searching Garcia’s vehicle when he moved his hands to the front and started to drive away in the SUV.

Deputies opened fire. Garcia died at a Lubbock hospital.

Texas Rangers are helping investigate.

Details on the traffic stop weren’t immediately released.