Wrecker driver wrestles gator on Magnolia road

  MAGNOLIA, TX (KTRK) -- A tow truck driver turned into a gator wrestler overnight after he spotted a gator crossing the road.

Richard Wible says he saw a 4-foot long gator in the middle of the road in Magnolia. He called wildlife officers who told him it would be a while before they could get there to capture the gator.

So he decided to take care of it himself, using a rope and electrical tape to catch the gator. But the animal put up quite a fight.

"I went to pick him and he decided he was going to fight and little bit and he slapped me across my back," Wible said. "I'm just glad we got him out of harm's way and he's free to go now."

Police arrived and put the alligator in the back of one of their patrol cars and they released it back into the wild in a large body of water, away from people.

After being set free, the gator stared them all down from the water and eventually swam off.

Since the gator was found on Buddy Riley, they decided to name him "Buddy."

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Wrecker driver shot while repossessing car

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A wrecker driver was recovering Friday after being shot while repossessing a car in southwest Houston.

It happened in the 2200 block of S. Gessner at Ella Lee around 1:30am Friday.

Police said the wrecker driver was performing a repossession of a car at Sunblossom at Woodlake Apartments when the owner saw the wrecker, ran to the parking lot and started shooting.

The wrecker driver was shot one time. He already had the vehicle hooked, so he took off after getting shot, officials said.

According to police, he dragged the car down Gessner, leaving a skid mark. He then jumped the median at Westheimer, pulling into a gas station for help.

Police arrived and the victim was transported to the hospital in stable condition.

The suspect fled the scene, but police know who he is and where he lives.

Officials said the case is being referred to a grand jury.

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