A routine shoplifting call in North Richland Hills turned into a brief roadside drama when officers used spike strips to stop a fleeing car, flatten its tires, and arrest two Fort Worth residents. Dashcam video shows the getaway attempt fizzle fast as the vehicle slows on blown tires and the occupants stick their hands out the windows before officers move in. Both people were taken into custody and booked into the Tarrant County jail.
How the Chase Ended
According to CBS News, North Richland Hills officers responded around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to a shoplifting report at a department store off Boulevard 26 near Precinct Line. When officers tried to pull the suspect vehicle over, the driver took off, kicking off a pursuit that drew in the Fort Worth Police Department for backup.
With Fort Worth officers assisting, one officer set up spike strips near Loop 820 and Blue Mound Road and successfully disabled the car. The department’s dashcam video shows the crucial moment: the tires go flat, the car finally gives up the ghost, and officers quickly surround the vehicle and take the occupants into custody.
Custody and Booking
Both suspects were transported to the Tarrant County jail and remain in custody, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, which maintains the online inmate search with booking and charge information. The county roster is updated regularly as cases wind their way through the courts.
Spike Strips: Quick Stop, Real Risks
Tire-deflation devices like spike strips are a go-to tool for law enforcement when they want to end a chase quickly without resorting to more extreme tactics. They are effective, as this clip makes clear, but they are not exactly gentle. A 2023 report from Human Rights Watch found spike-strip use has risen sharply in parts of Texas and documented cases where such stop devices played a role in crashes and injuries involving drivers, passengers, and bystanders.
Names, Warrants and Next Steps
North Richland Hills police identified the suspects as 31-year-old Dominic Fabela and 36-year-old Sophia Rodriguez, both from Fort Worth, according to CBS News. Police said Fabela was booked on theft and evading charges and had an outstanding felony warrant for evading in Tarrant County. Rodriguez, according to police, was arrested for theft and had outstanding warrants out of Sansom Park for drug and traffic offenses. There was no immediate word on when either is scheduled to appear in court.
