A Midland Police officer initiated a routine traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Victor Mata Villarreal on Wednesday, June 10. Villarreal immediately fled from the officer near the 4800 block of Anetta Drive. He continued driving through the 4700 block of Comanche Drive before exiting his vehicle, producing a semi-automatic rifle, and firing several rounds at the officer.

Public Warning

Villarreal and the officer then traded shots back and forth after the cop returned fire. Soon after, Villarreal entered his vehicle once more and fled the scene. By the time the officer began trailing Villarreal for the second time, the vehicle was located but turned up empty. The fugitive himself was nowhere to be found.

The Midland Police Department is warning the public not to approach Villarreal if they see him since he is considered armed and dangerous. If anyone has information that could assist investigators with locating Villarreal, they are urged to call Midland Crime Stoppers at (432) 694-8477 or the U.S. Marshals’ tip line at 1-877-962-8332.

Original reporting: News/Talk 790 KFYO (Lubbock) — read the source article.