Gonzales man steals 18-wheeler to attack victim a second time

A Gonzales man is in jail after he nearly ran over a police officer in a stolen 18-wheeler, according to the Gonzales Police Department.

GPD officers were dispatched to the Circle G Truck Stop on Saturday, Oct. 8, in reference to a hit-and-run incident. Officers were advised then that a subject had run on foot in an unknown direction. It was while GPD Sgt. Cesar Martinez was on scene, speaking to the hit-and-run victim, that he observed an 18-wheeler traveling at a high rate of speed, neither slowing down nor making any effort to avoid striking the complainant or Sgt. Martinez.

The 18-wheeler then struck the victim’s vehicle as Sgt. Martinez and the victim managed to move frantically out of the way and avoid serious injury. The collision pushed the victim’s vehicle into a pasture on the opposite of the road as the 18-wheeler crossed US 183 traveling northbound with other officers in pursuit with lights and sirens blazing on their patrol cruisers.

The 18-wheeler began traveling on the opposite lane of traffic, striking several vehicles and entered Saint Joseph Street before coming to a stop, when a Hispanic male, later identified as 34-year-old Johnny Ray Longoria Jr. of Gonzales, exited the 18-wheeler and ran into the 400 block of Village Drive.

Sgt. Martinez caught Longoria on foot and detained him, placing him under arrest and transporting him to the Gonzales County Jail. It turned out that Longoria had been the individual who reportedly had hit the victim’s car the first time and he had allegedly stolen the 18-wheeler and used it to hit the victim’s car the second time.

Longoria was initially charged aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unauthorized use of motor vehicle, and evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle.

“Upon further investigation, (viewing in car videos, obtaining witness and victim statements), Johnny Ray Longoria has been charged with two counts of attempted capital murder of a peace officer or Fireman (first-degree felony) and five counts of aggravated assault with deadly weapon (second-degree felony),” GPD Lt. Jason Montoya said. “These charges are in addition to the aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unauthorized use of motor vehicle, and evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle.”

Longoria remains in the Gonzales County Jail in lieu of $890,000 total bond.

Montoya said neither Martinez nor the victim suffered any injuries in the incident, which remains under investigation.