Houston-area police on high alert after cruiser’s brake lines cut

Houston-area authorities have been on high alert after shots were reportedly fired on police officers in two separate incidents and a marked Harris County constable car appeared to have its brake lines intentionally cut.

An investigation by the Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office is underway after a sergeant reported his “take home” marked patrol car had been sabotaged Tuesday. A county technician determined someone had intentionally cut the car’s anti-lock braking system, a local ABC affiliate reported.

On Tuesday morning, a Harris County Sheriff’s Office sergeant was reportedly shot at as he was working his second job at Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center. A sheriff’s office spokesman said the sergeant was standing outside when he heard the first gunshot, then saw a man in an SUV fire two more shots toward his patrol unit, the ABC affiliate reported.

Additionally, gunfire erupted from a car driving down South Post Oak near West Bellfort about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday where an officer was working a routine traffic stop. The unidentified officer reportedly took cover inside his car, then heard two more shots. No one was hurt, but the incident prompted the Houston Police Officers Union to call for stricter safety guidelines in the wake of rising anti-police sentiment, a local CBS affiliate reported.

“Some people were saying the one incident had to be isolated because they didn’t have any other incidents,” said Union President Ray Hunt. “Then when we found out about the second incident that had happened prior to ours, it’s very, very alarming to us that in 48 hours we had two people, deputies, shot at in Harris County.”

Houston police, Harris County constables and uniformed officers patrolling in marked cars have been instructed to buddy-up and be on the lookout for rogue attacks, the Blaze reported.

“All of our officers have been told to be on alert for attacks like this,” Constable’s office spokeswoman Pamela Greenwood told the Blaze.