METRO unveils newly designed light rail train

METRO Monday unveiled its newly designed light rail train.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- METRO light rail users will be riding a new train for the first time in nearly a decade.

The agency Monday unveiled the car at its rail operations center in southwest Houston. The vehicle is expected to be tested and placed into service before the end of the year.

According to METRO, the train has extra horizontal bars for passenger safety, better storage for bicycles, and additional air conditioning for the Houston heat.

The vehicle is the first of 19 new rail cars for the expanding light rail lines.

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HPD: Driver high on PCP slams into car, killing two

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A driver suspected of being high on the drug PCP is charged with a killing a couple in a horrible early Monday morning collision. We've also learned that suspect already had a court date in two weeks for another crime he's charged with committing.

From the broken water line to the damaged light poles and phone booth, there is a lot of evidence that something violent happened just outside a southwest Houston gas station.

Police say the man who caused it was 33 year old Theodore Hargrove, 33, whose blood test revealed was high on the drug PCP when he ran a red light on the Southwest Freeway feeder road at Kirby, and ran into another car waiting to leave the parking lot.

HPD Sgt. S. Sorge said, "He side-impacted the vehicle at a high rate of speed. Two occupants inside the vehicle died on the scene.

Hargrove will go before a judge at the criminal courthouse on charges that he killed the couple. But it's not the first time Hargrove has been in trouble. He has a long criminal history, beginning with a robbery charge when he was 18. Three years later he was indicted twice for murder. Those charges were dismissed.

But Hargrove served time behind bars for evading arrest, drugs, and driving with a suspended license. He was due in court again in just two weeks for allegedly running from a METRO police officer in January of this year. He was out on bond when the double fatality happened.

"It's the worst kind of situation," Sgt. Sorge said. "You know, just over here trying to make some purchases at the gas station, and their lives were tragically ended so quickly."

The medical examiner's office tells me they have identified the two victims as Ricardo Quinton and Meagan Jones. There is no cause of death listed on either victim at this point.

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ABC13 coverage helps FBI catch featured gang fugitive

Carlos Romero, 30, was wanted on a federal firearms charge.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Just days after we featured him as our StopHoustonGangs.org Fugitive of the Week, the FBI tells us they've caught a gang member wanted on federal charges.

Investigators say media coverage led Carlos Romero to turn himself into authorities on Monday. Romero, 30, was wanted on a federal firearms charge and a known member of the Tango Blast Gang.

He was of more than two dozen suspects named in a federal indictment unsealed last week. The indictment was the result of a four-year investigation into what the FBI calls the Texas Mexican Mafia.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of other fugitives, you can leave an anonymous tip here

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Galveston reports record $8.4M in tourism revenue

  GALVESTON, TX -- Galveston had a record $8.4 million in peak-season tourism revenue this year in a continuing turnaround since Hurricane Ike battered the Southeast Texas island.

The Galveston County Daily-News reported Monday that officials believe a $100,000 marketing campaign called "It's Island Time" contributed to the increase. The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier also opened this year.

Ike made landfall in Galveston on September 2008.

The Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau says peak-season revenue from April to July has been on the rise since 2009 when the city collected $5.3 million in hotel occupancy tax. That's when discussions began about networking to include city leaders, tourism officials, the Port of Galveston and the hospitality industries.

Data shows about 920,000 passengers last year contributed $9.15 million to the port's cruise revenue.

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Police: Man carjacked, forced to drive gunman

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The search is still on this morning for a man who carjacked a driver and forced him to drive at gunpoint.

This happened around 1am at a gas station on Eldridge near Bellaire. The victim then crashed the car a short time later on Belknap near Old Richmond.

The victim, a man in his 20s, was on his way to work, but stopped to put air in the tires of his Infiniti. The victim told Eyewitness News a man with a gun approached him at the gas station, took his wallet and then forced him to get back in his car and drive them both.

The victim said during the drive, the gunman fired two shots in the car, but didn't hit him. The victim then says he crashed his car into a dirt mound at a construction site. That's where both men jumped out and the suspect ran off. The victim called 9-1-1.

He was not injured. If you have any info on suspect, you're being asked to call authorities.

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Sen. Mario Gallegos resting peacefully at Houston hospital, family says

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We have an update on a state senator currently in a Houston hospital.

The family of Sen. Mario Gallegos said he was resting peacefully Sunday evening.

He was first reported at Methodist Hospital in grave condition on Friday.

According to his family, he had a lot of visitors this weekend, including friends and colleagues. The community has also rallied around him in a show of support.

Please stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for updates on the senator's condition.

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Teen hit by METRO bus loses leg, still critical

  Crystal KobzaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- Nearly two weeks after a teenager was hit by a METRO bus while crossing Bellaire Boulevard, she remains in critical condition.

Charmaine James, an 18-year-old Hasting High School student, is only in the beginning stages of recovery after being hit by a METRO bus on October 1.

We spoke to her mother -- Chandre Rogers, a METRO bus driver herself -- on Sunday about her recovery and the road she has ahead.

The accident caused severe damage to Charmaine's right leg.

"They amputated her right foot and then yesterday they had to go above her knee," Rogers explained.

Rogers said her daughter and a friend made it across the first set of lanes on Bellaire and into the median. Her daughter then attempted to make it all the way across, she said, but she was hit by the bus.

"Her friend told me that she was knocked like 15 feet," Rogers said.

Rogers said she works out of the same West bus operating facility, but does not know the driver who struck her daughter.

She added that her co-workers have been helping her through this difficult time.

'I have a friend of mine, Ms. Vanessa. She has been here with me from day one," Roger said. "The first night, my superintendent from our garage, they were there."

As for Charmaine, her mother tells us she has been heavily sedated since the accident. The only thing her daughter has said that she was able to understand was when she tried to ask what happened.

'I put God first and I know He is going to take care of my baby," Rogers said. "She is still in critical condition, but I have faith in God that she is going to pull through this."

Rogers says her daughter is an aspiring biology teacher and she will be there every step of the way as this long journey of healing begins.

The investigation into the accident is still underway. METRO police say the driver of the bus, 61-year-old Otis Stewart, is not working at this time.

So far, no citations have been issued.

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Man sought in apparent road rage wreck that killed one woman

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An argument between strangers took a deadly turn on the road on Thursday mornning, and now police are trying to find the man responsible.

Houston police have released a surveillance video of a man wanted for questioning in the death of Samantha Dorsey. Dorsey, 23, was killed in an accident at 7800 Westheimer about 7am Thursday.

Police say at about 6:45am, Dorsey and her friends were leaving the Walmart on Dunvale at Westheimer when they were involved in a verbal altercation with an unknown man. This altercation spilled out onto Westheimer, where the two parties apparently continued to argue as they drove inbound on Westheimer.

Witnesses said it appeared the man, driving a gold Mustang with a red pinstripe, threw out what appeared to be a bottle at the vehicle Dorsey and her friends were driving in. This action may have caused the driver of the other vehicle to lose control. The vehicle ultimately struck a traffic pole, causing Dorseny to be ejected from the vehicle.

She died as a result of her injuries. The other two occupants of this vehicle were taken to the hospital, treated for minor injuries and released.

The driver of the gold Mustang left the scene. He was described as a black male, about 6 foot 2 inches tall, about 25 years of age, with short hair tied into little spikes as if he was going to grow dreadlocks or braids. He had no facial hair and had slits shaved into one of his eyebrows, possibly his left one. He was also described as having a New Orleans accent.

Anyone recognizing the male in the surveillance video or with any information in this incident is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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Karate teacher accused of sexually assaulting 15-year-old female student

Jimmy Lee Walker, 46, is charged with sexual assault of a child under 17 years of age.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local karate teacher is accused of sexually assaulting a child.

Police say Jimmy Walker assaulted a 15-year-old girl at his home back in June. According to authorities, the girl was a student of Walker's and also worked at his studio.

Police say Walker, 46, denies the allegation. He faces one count of sexual assault of a child under 17 years of age.

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TSU band allowed to perform in two weeks

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Texas Southern University says it has issued some stiff penalties against members of its Ocean of Soul marching band for hazing.

Texas Southern lifted the suspension of its marching band after a hazing incident. The band will resume performing during TSU's October 27 game against Grambling State University at BBVA Compass Stadium.

The school suspended the band last month after 10 trumpet players paddled nine freshmen.

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Neighbors vs. HOA: A battle heats up in Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A group of neighbors is taking their homeowner's association to court. They say residents are paying up but not seeing results, and now they want to know what happened to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This is happening in the community of Pine Village North in northeast Houston.

A group of fed-up homeowners who gathered in court Monday told us their HOA went too far when some board members were removed after questioning the spending.

Inside Pine Village North, there are townhomes with shattered windows and hazardous vacant units.

"They won't board them up. We see kids going in it," resident Martha Preston said.

There's dangerous trash piling and huge holes in the ground.

"This is a hazard for children, for anyone. You could slip, fall, break your leg, break your neck," resident Christopher Matthews said.

Preston and Matthews are also former HOA board members who are among a group of neighbors who say more problems peaked during their annual homeowner's association meeting last week.

"We are trying to figure out how we can get rid of our president because we have some concerns about the money," Preston said.

Preston and Matthews are taking the HOA to civil court. They say it violated bylaws by voting them off the board.

"They voted me off because I started questioning what's going on, where our funds are going, why things aren't being done, why we have increased crime here," Matthews said.

Matthews and Preston say the controversy is over a financial report issued during the HOA meeting. It shows more than $550,000 was collected from homeowners between January and September. Nearly half of that money was allegedly spent on building repairs and maintenance.

Then, there's a negative ending balance showing the HOA is $25,000 in the hole.

"I was wondering, wow. Somebody is fattening the frog for the snake," Preston said, "Somebody is getting this money, because I cannot see that much work being done around here right now."

We tried getting some answers from the HOA's lawyer during a temporary injunction hearing.

"No Comment. No Comment," the attorney said.

A board member also dodged our questions about that financial report.

"You have anything to say about it?" we asked.

"No comment," the board member said.

For now, a judge has ordered the newly elected HOA board cannot proceed in making any decisions. A trial has been set on this matter for next month.

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Pre-trial motion hearing for day care owner Jessica Tata accused of murder

  Pooja LodhiaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- A year after a horrific fire at an in-home day care, a woman accused of leaving very young and helpless kids alone is about to go on trial for murder. But first, critical decisions will be made about what evidence can be used against her.

Four small children were killed in February of last year when a fire broke out at a home day care in west Houston. Jessica Tata, the woman who was supposed to be watching them now faces murder charges.

On Monday she was in court as attorneys argued about what evidence should and should not be allowed in her upcoming trial.

Jessica Tata sat in the courtroom staring straight ahead. The now 24-year-old is charged with four felony murders, the first of which goes to trial next week.

"She's diabetic and we're dealing with that. My son went to get her an order for insulin. But other than that, she's doing as best she can in the situation she's in," said defense attorney Mike DeGuerin.

Prosecutors allege that on February 24, 2011 Tata went shopping when she was supposed to be watching several children at her home day care. Police say she left a pot of oil burning on an electric stove and while she was gone, the home burst into flames, killing four young children and injuring three.

Police say Tata then fled to Nigeria to avoid charges. She was arrested and retuned to the U.S. about a month later.

"People have an emotional reaction without knowing all the facts. That's the hardest thing," DeGuerin said.

In Monday's pretrial hearing, attorneys argued over allowing into trial certain evidence and testimony that was collected before Tata was charged. One big issue is Tata's computer and diary. Her landlord gave them to investigators without a search warrant after the fire. Investigators testified they didn't even consider Tata as a suspect when they first questioned her.

"Both sides have a different spin on it. The state says we didn't know she was a suspect. We just needed to know what was going on. The defense saying you knew very well that she was a suspect and would be the target of your investigation," said KTRK Legal Analyst Joel Androphy.

The hearing will resume on Wednesday morning.

A jury panel will fill out questionnaires later this week. Testimony in Tata's trial is set to begin October 24. The trial is expected to last one month.

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Man struck by train in NE Harris County

A man was taken to the hospital after being struck by a train in northeast Harris County.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man is in the hospital after being hit by a train overnight in northeast Harris County.

It happened Hartman near the Beaumont Highway. The man was airlifted to the hospital. There's no word yet on his condition.

It's still not clear how he ended up on the tracks. As we get more details on this story, we'll post them here.

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Cy-Fair ISD postpones launch of sex-ed program

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We have a new update about a controversial sex education in the Cy-Fair Independent School District.

The district is now telling parents it will wait to begin its new sex-ed curriculim until next year.

Last week, we told you that parents were upset over a new curriculum for seventh and eighth graders that discussed topics like contraceptives and sex.

Cy-Fair ISD says this will give them time to review and evaluate the program.

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Man charged in shooting death of one woman, seriously injuring another

Noe Aranda, 32, is charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man has been charged for shooting two women who were then pushed or jumped from a moving car last week on the Katy Freeway. One of those women was killed, the other seriously wounded.

Noe Aranda, 32, is charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The identity of the deceased 22-year-old victim is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. The surviving victim, 21, remains in stable condition at an area hospital. Aranda shot both women several times.

Police say HPD patrol officers and Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies on October 11 responded to a scene that appeared to be an accident at 24000 Katy Freeway in which a female was struck by several vehicles.

Further investigation determined persons inside a blue Dodge Magnum had gotten into an argument. At some point, a weapon was produced and a woman either jumped or was pushed from the vehicle traveling westbound in the 20900 block of the Katy Freeway. This woman was transported to the hospital.

A second woman from the same vehicle was either pushed or jumped from the vehicle in the 24000 block of the Katy Freeway. She was struck by several vehicles and died at the scene.

Aranda, the driver of the Magnum, remains at large. His vehicle was recovered the day of the incident.

Police tell us Aranda is the same man who led police on a high-speed chase with four children in his vehicle back in April. He was charged with assaulting a family member, endangering a child and evading arrest in that case.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of suspect Noe Aranda is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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Man struck by lightning while working on school roof in NW Harris County

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man was hospitalized Sunday morning after being struck by lightning while working on a roof in northwest Harris County.

It happened at Primrose School of Barker-Cypress in the 16500 block of Dundee Road.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the construction crew was trying to come down from the roof when the weather quickly worsened. The 30-year-old victim was on his way down when a bolt of lightning struck him and knocked him unconscious.

The foreman performed CPR until deputies arrived and took over. An ambulance then arrived and took over for the deputies, taking him to North Cypress Medical Center in critical but stable condition.

Deputies said he was breathing on his own and was later transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital for continued treatment.

Officials tell us it is difficult to tell how a lightning strike has affected a person's body until around 24 hours after the incident.

We will continue following this story and will update you on Eyewitness News and abc13.com when new information is available.

A few minutes after the incident on the roof, another bolt of lightning struck a home on Ellendale Court, also in northwest Harris County.

The lightning stripped the bark from a pine tree.

Homeowners say an electrical surge went through the house, knocking out the power. Sparks started flying out of the oven and the house filled up with smoke, they said, but no one was hurt.

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Olympic BMX cyclist dies in wreck in Conroe

In this April 16, 2008, file photo, Olympic BMX cyclist Kyle Bennett poses for a portrait during the USOC Media Summit in Chicago. Bennett was killed in an automobile accident early Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in eastern Texas. He was 33. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

  CONROE, TX (KTRK) -- Family and friends are remembering BMX Olympic cyclist Kyle Bennett. He died in an accident early yesterday morning.

Bennett was driving home to Conroe just after 2am to meet his fiancee when he lost control of his truck on Old Highway 105 near Southshore Drive. Bennett was found dead at the scene.

News of his death spread yesterday on BMX-related websites, where fans expressed their condolences and praised the champion racer as an inspiration.

The 33-year-old recently earned a spot in the BMX Hall of Fame as the team captain of the USA's first Olympic team in 2008.

You can read more about this story in the Courier of Montgomery County, one of our Houston Community Newspaper partners.

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FBI: Robbers with 'Scream' masks hit Galleria area bank

The FBI says two robbers with 'Scream' masks hit this Prosperity Bank on San Felipe.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A couple of bank robbers in the Halloween spirit hit a bank in the Galleria area Monday morning.

They robbed the Prosperity Bank at San Felipe and Bancroft about 11:10am. Police say two men wearing "Scream" masks and white gloves robbed the bank. At least one of the robbers was armed with a pistol. The men demanded money from the bank employees and received an undisclosed amount of cash.

The men then took off in a red minivan. No one was hurt and it's not know how much money was taken.

The two suspects are described as black males, between 5 foot 4 and 5 foot 8, with a medium build and 20-25 years of age.

The FBI tells Eyewitness News this is the 140th bank robbery in Houston/Harris County this year.

Anyone with information may call the crime-stoppers tip line at 713-222-tips or the Houston office of the FBI at 713-693-5000.

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Opponents speak out against HISD bond proposal

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- For the first time we're hearing from community leaders who do not approve of HISD's nearly $2 billion bond proposal to rebuild or renovate dozens of schools. Taxpayers are set to vote on the proposal next month, but up until now we've really only heard support for the measure.

Even as Lamar High School's principal and HISD's superintendent led a tour through the crowded school, pointing out such deficiencies as a single physics lab for 3,000 students, across town a separate group of people gathered for the first time showing organized support opposing HISD's $1.9 billion bond proposal.

Bond opponent Dave Wilson said, "There hasn't been transparency. There is no accountability. So with this present bond election, there's no way anyone can vote for it."

Wilson, a frequent opponent to many of the city's politicians and their initiatives, brought together a group of concerned citizens. All said they think the bond is just a way to spend money with no proof it will improve education.

Bond opponent Charles White asked, "What's the priority? Is it good education or new buildings? Good education and accountability is what we're talking about."

HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier bristled at the criticism, pointing out that, for example, Lamar High School just wasn't built for today's demanding educational requirements.

He said, "The facility built in 1936 cannot prepare kids for the 21st century."

The district says basic power supply is Even an issue at Lamar.

"There's not enough electricity in these rooms to support what's needed for giving our kids what they need to be to be competitive in the science world and colleges and universities," explained Lamar Principal Dr. James McSwain.

But Wilson's group says it's heard all those complaints before. They just don't trust HISD with any more of taxpayers' money.

"We're talking about whether we're getting our dollar's worth and whether we're getting accountability," Wilson said.

Dr. Grier says he doesn't have time to worry about the critics. He says he's focused on the best plan to educate the district's kids.

Both sides will be working hard to get their messages out before Election Day.

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At least two killed in fiery NW Harris County crash

  Pooja LodhiaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- Deputies are investigating a crash that left at least two people dead Sunday night in northwest Harris COunty.

Emergency crews were called to North Sam Houston Parkway West and Highway 249 around 8:30pm.

Deputies confirm at least two people died in what appears to be a one-car accident.

According to witnesses, three people were in the now-crumpled sedan. There were witnesses who say a baby was in the back of the vehicle, though that's not yet been confirmed.

Witnesses tell us they saw a car weaving back and forth on the feeder road to Beltway 8. They believe the man and woman inside the car were having an argument.

Suddenly, they saw the car jump a curb and crash head-on into a pillar.

They say the car looked like a pancake folded in half. The people were trapped inside.

"It hit the pillar sideways and my brother stopped his car and jumped out and he pushed it over and he was trying to help them get out but you couldn't open the doors or nothing like that, so we couldn't do anything but call 911 and let them do their jobs," witness Percy Hines told us.

Hines also said the car was on fire.

We will update you further as we get more information on this story.

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Vandal defaces Obama mural in downtown Houston

The owner of the Breakfast Klub in downtown Houston has hired an artist to fix a mural of President Barack Obama after a vandal painted over the president's eye with red paint.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A popular mural of President Barack Obama in downtown Houston has been defaced.

A vandal painted over the president's eye with red paint.

Marcus Davis, the owner of the Breakfast Klub, commissioned the mural across from his restaurant.

Now he tells us he's already hired the artist to repaint it.

On Tuesday night, the restaurant is holding a debate party.

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Six injured, including 4 kids, in car accident

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Possible confusion over who had the right of way has put four children and two adults in the hospital.

Houston police say both drivers claim to have had a green light when the two crashed at Bellaire at Rookin. Investigators say it appears the driver of a black SUV t-boned the other car, sending it crashing into a light pole.

One child was rushed to the hospital with injuries that could be serious. Three children and an adult in that car are being treated for minor injuries and the driver in the second car is also being treated.

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Man fatally stabbed after Texans viewing party

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The search for suspects after a man is stabbed to death in a neighborhood where a huge Houston Texans watch party was going on.

That stabbing happened Sunday night on the north side. The party was happening in a yellow house in the 4700 block of McEwen near Cavalcade. But once things spilled out into the street, the victim was stabbed two doors down, in front of his own house.

Neighbor Jerry Laramore said, "Every time there's a ball game, there's a lot of people out there."

Laramore says waking up to a lot of noise outside his window during a Texans game, is not unusual. But Sunday night, there was more than noise.

"I heard them fighting," said neighbor Vickie Cruz. "I just heard bottles, slamming bottles. That's what I heard was cracking bottles."

Police say after the Texans game wrapped up, officers got a call for help. They arrived to break up what cops describe as a large street brawl. But before they got to the scene, one man was stabbed. Family rushed him to Ben Taub Hospital, where he later died.

"Oh yeah, I knew him well. He called me uncle," said Laramore. "I'm not really his uncle but he called me uncle. All the kids do."

The victim's name isn't being released until his entire family is notified. His sister told me he was just 20 years old, and the father of a two-year-old baby girl.

"He was a really nice guy," said neighbor Joann Chapa. "I can't believe this happened to him. He never harmed nobody, he never did nothing to nobody."

Cruz just chatted with the young victim on Sunday, and now asks the same question police are working to answer as well.

"When his sister told me this morning I just broke down crying," she recalled. "I said, 'What happened?'"

The suspect is still at large. Police say they are following up on leads, but anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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Police: Pedestrian hit by multiple vehicles on SW Fwy

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police are trying to figure out what led to a deadly hit-and-run crash on the Southwest Freeway this morning.

It happened around 3am on Highway 59 near the West Loop exit.

Investigators said the victim was a pedestrian who was run over several times by different vehicles.

None of the drivers stopped, officials said.

The victim's identity was not released.

The accident blocked the freeway for more than an hour.

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Houston father shot to death feet away from his family

Police are investigating a murder outside a southeast Houston home where they a say a father was killed just feet away from his family

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston father was shot and killed overnight just a few feet away from his family.

John Steven Martinez was ambushed around 10pm in the driveway of his southeast Houston home on Ashburn.

Police say the suspects followed Martinez home and confronted him in the driveway when he got out of his car.

Martinez's family was inside and heard yelling, then a gunshot.

When they came outside, he was bleeding in the driveway.

He later died from his injuries at an area hospital.

The killers remain on the loose. Police say they are interviewing multiple witnesses who saw the suspects flee the scene.

Investigators believe robbery was the motive, but it's not yet clear if they got away with anything.

Police plan to release a suspect description later today.

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Officer shoots 'suspicious' man outside SWAT scene

  STAFFORD, TX (KTRK) -- A SWAT situation in Stafford this morning ended with an officer shooting a man who drove by the scene.

According to Stafford police, officers responded to a report of shots fired on Southmeadow near Mulholland.

When police arrived, the residents reportedly refused to come out of the house.

A SWAT team was called out. When they got to the scene, the residents came outside and surrendered to police.

Police said a driver then pulled up to the scene in an SUV and asked what was happening, at which point he begins to act suspiciously.

Officers confronted the man and asked him to exit the vehicle, but he refused, police said.

That's when an officer reached her left arm into the vehicle. The suspect allegedly rolled the window up on her arm and tried to drive away.

Police said the officer was in fear for her life. She discharged her weapon into the SUV, shattering the driver's side window and hitting the suspect.

The suspect was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he underwent surgery. He is expected to survive, police said.

The officer who fired her weapon and another officer were both taken to an area hospital with minor injuries.

No other details were released.

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Driver dead after losing control on SE Houston street

  Police say the man ran off the road, crashed into a fence and then crossed the median and hit a parked vehicle before coming to rest

It happened around 4:30am on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at Bungalow Lane.

Police said the man was southbound on MLK when he lost control of his pickup truck.

The driver veered to the right and went over a curb and a sidewalk before he hit a fence, police said.

According to investigators, he got back on MLK southbound but then crossed the median and drove into the northbound lanes.

The driver ended up crashing into a Hummer parked in a driveway. He was dead when officers arrived.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. The man's identity has not been released.

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Two people killed in wreck in N. Harris County

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Deputies are working a double fatal accident in north Harris County.

It happened on Airline at West Hambrick. Investigators say a head-on collision killed a passenger in one of the cars and a female pedestrian.

Three others were taken to the hospital. There's no word on their conditions at this point.

Authorities are working to figure out what caused the accident.

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Two killed in overnight wreck in NW Houston

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A crash in northwest Houston left two people dead and sent a third to the hospital.

Two vehicles crashed on the Northwest Freeway near Magnum around 2am. It's unclear which driver caused the crash.

The survivor's condition is unknown.

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State Senator Mario Gallegos reportedly gravely ill

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A leader, not only in the Hispanic community, but for all of Harris County, is fighting for his life. State Senator Mario Gallegos is in grave condition at Methodist Hospital.

Known for being tough when it comes to issues he cares about, family and friends are hoping that toughness will help him recover.

Out of intensive care now, Senator Gallegos is in his own room at the Methodist Hospital with family, friends and colleagues never far away. He's reportedly having complications from a liver transplant he had five years ago.

His campaign office called his condition grave, but the atmosphere not necessarily somber.

"He's responding to people and laughing told a couple of jokes and obviously his circumstance is a tough one and he probably recognizes that," said State Rep. Garnett Doleman (D) of Houston. "But it being a tough one, the time we all have, you don't waste the time talking about that. You make sure you talk about the good times."

Rep. Coleman visited with Gallegos on Friday. The two have been friends for 20 years.

"Mario is a man with a big heart and superior spirit," said Coleman.

Coleman spoke to us, not to disrespect the family, but to honor his friend.

Once a longtime Houston firefighter, Gallegos entered the political arena 22 years ago, first as a state representative, then since 1994 as a state senator representing District 6. In fact, he was the first Mexican-American state senator elected in Harris County.

And as a politician, private matters are public. In 2006, he acknowledged he spent a month in residential treatment for alcoholism. The next year, he announced he has cirrhosis of the liver. A few days later, he received a liver transplant.

Gallegos ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, but faces Republican R.W. Bray in the November election.

A statement released Friday afternoon on his behalf read in part, "Senator Gallegos' family is at his side during this difficult time, and they have asked me to respectfully request that they be allowed their privacy, so that they may devote their undivided attention to their loved one."

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Strip club owners file lawsuit claiming $5 per customer 'pole tax' is unconstitutional

Strip club owners in a lawsuit say a $5 'pole tax' is unconstitutional.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Strip club owners in Houston are now taking their fight against a pole tax to court.

Lawyers representing Houston strip club executives have now filed a lawsuit claiming the new $5 per customer fee is unconstitutional.

The city passed the fee back in June. It's expected to raise about $3 million per year; money that will be used to help the city process untested rape kits.

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Thieves nab tires from dealership cars

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Several cars are sitting bare at a car dealership in northwest Houston after thieves took off with the tires.

It happened along the North Freeway at DeMontrond. Police say a group of thieves broke into the dealership and stole the tires off the new cars.

Authorities are still looking for the criminals, who are believed to have run off into the woods.

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SWAT officers find gas station employees safe

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A SWAT team is at the scene of an armed robbery attempt in Montgomery County.

Oak Ridge and Conroe police and Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies were called to a Shell station on State Highway 242 near I-45 around 3am where two armed suspects had entered the store through the McDonalds drive-through. A customer called 911.

Oak Ridge and Conroe Police officers arrived on the scene and believed that employees were still inside the store with the suspects. One of the employees was able to escape through the drive-through while the suspects were distracted.

"What we know at this time, is that we believe there are two armed robbers inside the store with two employees of the McDonalds and the Shell," said Lt. Dan Norris of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Initial attempts to contact anyone inside the business were unsuccessful and SWAT and crisis negotiators were called to the scene. Multiple attempts were made to contact anyone inside the business and eventually one employee came out that had been hiding behind a counter, authorities said. The witness did not know if the suspects were still inside but two employees were unaccounted for and they were believed to still be inside the business.

SWAT entered the business at about 7am and found two employees hiding in a back room and the suspects were gone. Investigators with the Sheriff's Office and the Texas Rangers are interviewing witnesses.

The suspects are described as two black males, 5'9" to 5'10" wearing a black hoodie and mask with gloves.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest or indictment of a felony crime. Anyone with informaiton can call 800-392-STOP (7867). Anonymous tips can also be made through the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Web Page at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org.

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Rash of burglaries, theft in one north Harris County neighborhood

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There is concern from neighbors in one north Harris County community who are dealing with a big spike in burglaries.

There have been nearly two dozen homes broken into in just the past month in the Northridge Park area, nestled between I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road near Bush Intercontinental Airport.

In this neighborhood, people work hard and generally feel safe, especially with patrol unit cars parked in driveways.

"Sheriff stays there, HPD officer stays there," said one neighbor.

But lately, that's changed.

"It was just a surreal feeling to come into your house knowing someone had rummaged through there," said crime victim Greg Okuhara.

Last week, Okuhara came home from work to find someone kicked open his front door, ransacked his bedroom and stole his stuff.

"Some computers, Xbox gaming system, golf clubs and some hockey jerseys," said Okuhara.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office crime report, he is not alone. In the last 30 days, there have been 22 home burglaries within the 77073 zip code.

"I didn't think it was that high, but I knew it was pretty, pretty bad," said neighbor Roy Jackson. "Then when I saw it was kicked in a couple doors from my house I figured yes; that's why I'm checking on my stuff right now."

Forcing folks like Jackson to leave work twice a day, just to check on his house. It's a luxury most here can't afford, but Jackson's neighbors have peace of mind knowing someone is looking out for them.

"When your sense of security is violated like that, it's unfortunate," said Okuhara.

Besides the burglaries, there have been 32 thefts from cars in the last month.

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HISD employee accused of possession of child pornography

Henry Walter Hauffe, 63, is charged with four counts of possession of child pornography.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A $10,000 bond was set Friday for a Houston ISD district clerk accused of downloading child pornography.

Henry Walter Hauffe, 63, was arrested Thursday and charged with four counts of possession of child pornography. A cyber crime task force investigation led to a search of Hauffe's home back in February. There, investigators uncovered explicit images of young girls stored on his computers.

No word why eight months passed between the search and his arrest. A spokesperson for HISD tells us Hauffe's duties did not involve any interaction with children.

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Texans hold autograph sessions at local stores

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- This weekend, Houston-area shoppers are invited to attend Best Buy's grand re-opening celebrations in five locations including: Woodlands, Bay Brook, Galleria, Price Plaza, and West Oaks.

Festivities include appearances and autograph sessions by some of the Houston Texans. The following are scheduled to appear: T.J. Yates starting at 1:30pm at the Galleria locationJohnathan Joseph starting at 2:00pm at the Baybrook locationBen Tate starting at 2:00pm at the Fry Road (Price Plaza) locationBrooks Reed starting at 2:00pm at the Woodlands locationRobert Horry of the Houston Rockets starting at 2:00pm at the West Oaks location

For celebrity appearances, wristbands will be distributed 2 hours prior to the start time and are available on a first-come, first-served basis -- maximum 1 wristband per person

Go to BestBuy.com for scheduling information.

Locations: WOODLANDS, 1550 Lake Woodlands Dr., Pinecroft Center The Woodlands, TX 77380 Phone: 281-292-1355BAYBROOK, 19425 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598 Phone: 281-554-3004GALLERIA, 5133 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77056 Phone: 713-552-1512Price Plaza, 20290 Katy Fwy (Fry Rd Exit), Katy, TX 77449 Phone: 281-398-2938WEST OAKS, 2480 Highway 6 S Village At West Oaks, Houston, TX 77077 Phone: 281-493-2365(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Have you seen the 'Blue Collar Bandit?'

A man the FBI is calling the 'Blue Collar Bandit' robbed a northwest Houston bank on Thursday.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The FBI needs your help to find a suspect they're calling the 'Blue Collar Bandit,' who robbed a northwest Houston bank on Thursday.

It happened during lunch hour at the J.P. Morgan Chase Bank at 7803 Longpoint. The suspect walked into the bank and reportedly handed a teller a threatening note. The teller complied and handed over some cash.

No one was hurt and the suspect fled on foot.

The 'Blue Collar Bandit' is described as a white male, between 45 and 55 years old and stands between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-11. He weighs between 175 and 200 pounds. He wore large frame eye glasses and light blue work-like coveralls.

Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and arrest of this robber, or any felony suspect. If you have information about this crime, please call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 713-222-TIPS (8477), or the Houston office of the FBI at 713-693-5000.

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Developers planning master-planned community in Cypress

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A master-planned community similar to The Woodlands is exploding in northwest Harris County and developers say they have an even grander plan.

More businesses are opening in Bridgeland near Highway 290 and Fry Road. Developers out there will tell you their long-term aim is to look and feel a lot like The Woodlands.

If you haven't been to Cypress lately, it probably looks a lot different from when you were last here -- businesses opening, new home building, dirt turning, and this is just the beginning.

"We're definitely growing out here, and we need it," Cy Fair Chamber of Commerce President Leslie Martone said.

Martone estimates right now, the home-to-business ratio in far northwest Harris County is 75 percent to 25 percent.

But that's changing.

"We're getting there," said Peter Houghton, vice president of master planned communities for the Howard Hughes Corporation.

And Bridgeland is part of that change.

"As of this year, we will probably sell 400 homes, which will make us No. 3 in Houston and No. 8 in the United States," Houghton said.

Once farmland for rice and cattle, the Howard Hughes Corporation is transforming 11,400 acres off of Fry Road near State Highway 290 into a master planned community. There will be new homes, schools and eventually a town center with shopping, restaurants and entertainment along serene waterways.

"Pearland's got a town center, Sugar Land, The Woodlands," Houghton said. "Ours will look very similar to that," Houghton said.

The future Grand Parkway will bisect Bridgeland's town center, which means more business and a more mature Cypress.

"It's just another opportunity for them and a reason to move out to Cy-Fair, is if they can have a place to live, work and play all together," Martone said.

The long-term timeline is 30 or 40 years, but developers hope to start Phase 1 of town center in 2014 or 2015.

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Cypress man accused of posting sex photos online

  CYPRESS, TX (KTRK) -- A Cypress man is facing charges after allegedly posting photos and videos online of him and his ex-girlfriend engaging in sex acts.

Eduardo Monsivias, 47, is charged with improper photography and visual recording. Investigators say the sexual images were posted from October 24, 2011, through January 22, of this year. They're reportedly from inside his home.

According to court documents, the victim -- who says she ended the relationship nearly two years prior -- discovered the images while doing a web search on her name. She says she was unaware the the recordings were being made at the time.

Investigators were able to obtain a search warrant and confiscated memory cards and computers from Monsivias' home, which reportedly contained several still photos and videos of Monsivias and the victim engaged in sex acts.

Monsivias has not yet been arrested. His bail has been set at $2,000.

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Juvenile Justice Center jailer accused of offering girl candy for sex makes court appearance

Robert Emerson Robinson, 28, appeared before a judge Friday morning.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Harris County Juvenile Justice Center jailer accused of trading candy for sexual favors with a teenage inmate at the facility made his first court appearance.

Robert Emerson Robinson, 28, appeared before a judge Friday morning. Police say he admitted to having sex with the 15-year-old girl. Officers also say they have surveillance video of him entering the girl's cell on May 23.

Robinson has been fired and charged with sexual assault with a child under 17.

The girl reportedly told police she allowed him to have sex with her because he provided her with candy and other treats.

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Chase leads to immigration investigation in Atascocita

A chase lead to an immigration investigation in Atascocita.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An immigration investigation began after a chase Thursday in northeast Harris County.

Humble police chased a man and woman in an SUV into an Atascocita neighborhood. The couple ran off and officers began a house to house search.

At one home, more than a dozen people ran out of the house. Officers arrested 14 people and handed them over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Police never found the couple they were chasing.

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Help the FBI catch this week's featured gang fugitive

Carlos Romero, 30, is wanted on a federal firearms charge.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A known member of the Tango Blast Gang is also our StopHoustonGangs.org fugitive of the week.

Carlos Romero, 30, is wanted on a federal firearms charge. Romero is one of 25 men, including an east Texas police officer, named in a federal indictment unsealed Thursday.

The indictments are the result of a four-year investigation into the Texas Mexican Mafia. More than a dozen of those indicted have been arrested.

If you have any information on his whereabouts, leave an anonymous tip here

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