An Uber driver in Houston got an unexpected detour earlier this month when his vehicle briefly became a police cruiser. Anthony Baines was driving to pick up his next passenger just after midnight when a shirtless man ran across the road in front of his car, with two police officers chasing close behind. Moments later, one of the officers pulled open Baines’ door and climbed in, asking him to follow the suspect.
A Retired Soldier Answers the Call
Baines, a retired Army sergeant, didn’t hesitate. He drove down the street, picked up a second officer along the way, and circled the neighborhood as the two used his car to track the suspect. Dashcam video of the pursuit, shared by Houston 2 News, captured the officers urging Baines to keep driving as they scanned the area. When they spotted the man again, both officers jumped out while the car was still moving to continue the chase on foot, leaving Baines by himself to process what had just unfolded.
Suspect Got Away, But Driver Says It Was Worth It
Despite the dramatic pursuit, the suspect, who police say had threatened a woman and her two children before running from an apartment, was never caught. Baines told CBS News the experience felt like a movie moment, driven purely by adrenaline in the moment.
Houston police union president Doug Griffith later clarified that civilians are never obligated to assist officers in this way and can decline if asked. Baines said he wasn’t aware of that at the time, but doesn’t regret jumping into action to help.