The man accused of shooting three Houston police officers after a carjacking and a chase has a long criminal record and never should have been walking the streets in the first place.
investigators say Roland Caballero, 31, shot the officers after a chase ended in the Third Ward. He also managed to carjack someone and then drove to the Fifth Ward where he holed up in a residence.
“According to court documents, Caballero was caught stealing several expensive items from West Point Auto Collision on Glenwood late last month.
An employee told police when he arrived at work on Dec. 28, he saw Caballero carrying three vehicle scanners, which are used to diagnose mechanical issues. He said he recognized Caballero as a customer.
The employee said when he confronted Caballero, the suspect threw one of the scanners at him, pulled out a gun and threatened to start shooting. The employee told police he backed off and Caballero drove away with the scanners.”
Caballero has a long criminal records.
Back in 2008, he was arrested by Katy Independent School District police for deadly conduct. He was convicted in June 2009. He was sentenced to 5 days in custody.
In September 2013, Caballero was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He pled guilty and was convicted in June 2014. His sentence was 5 years but he was released prior to serving the whole time.
In August 2017, he was arrested on felony drug charges. He was convicted just two months later. His sentence was one year behind bars.
Caballero was arrested again on a drug charge in November 2019, convicted in June of 2020, and sentenced to 90 days in custody.
According to documents with the Harris County Clerk’s office, Caballero had two additional arrests within the last two years but those charges were dismissed.
HPD Chief Troy Finner says “we need to stand up as a community and do whatever we got to do and that is to have more jail capacity. Let's get it done. No more excuses."