Four Citizens Help Subdue Intoxicated Man Resisting Arrest in Schulenburg

Schulenburg Police with the help of four citizens arrested a man for public intoxication and resisting arrest in the middle of US 77 on Monday morning, Dec. 1. The incident happened during heavy traffic as people were heading in to school and work.

Police Chief Troy Brenek said he was at the Valero station near the Interstate 10 and US 77 intersection around 7:50 a.m. when he noticed a man walking in the roadway of US 77. Brenek said he tried stopping the man to tell him he needed to walk on the sidewalk. But the man took off running south on US 77.

Brenek followed the man in his patrol vehicle, ordering the man to stop. Officer Juan Castilleja responded to assist.

“We have no idea why he ran,” Brenek said. “He wouldn’t communicate with us. He just ran.”

Brenek said he feared the man would get hit by the busy traffic that morning. Brenek and Castilleja caught up with him in the turning lane of US 77 near Schulenburg Elementary School.

“He wouldn’t get out of the traffic,” Brenek said. “We attempted to get him to speak with us. He ran, so we grabbed him for his safety. He decided to continue to resist. After a considerable struggle, we were able to get him secured and into a vehicle.”

Deputies Rick Bohlmann and Terry Guentert from the Sheriff’s Office responded. Four citizens who happened to be driving by also stopped to assist officers in subduing the subject. Brenek thanked the two deputies and especially the four citizens who stopped to assist.

“This is another example of how exemplary our citizens are,” Brenek said. “We can’t thank them enough for the assistance they gave us, and we’re glad no one was injured in the process.”

Brenek identified the suspect as Aristeo Ted Muniz, Jr, 39 of Flatonia. Brenek said he believes Muniz was under the influence of some kind of substance. He was arrested for public intoxication, failure to identify, and resisting arrest, search or transport.