AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- The man accused of shooting at an Austin Police officer during an attempted traffic stop last week has been arrested, police announced Tuesday.
APD says 41-year old Louis Rhyne, who goes by the nickname 'Taz', was taken into custody Tuesday morning in Leander.
According to an APD press release, an officer was responding to an alarm call near Travis Green Lane and Hero Drive just after midnight. The incident began as a traffic stop for a vehicle that had duct tape obstructing its license plate. When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver, identified on Monday as Rhyne, sped away, firing several shots at the officer. During a pursuit, Rhyne began to drive on the wrong side of the roadway, at which point the officer ended the pursuit.
The vehicle was found a short time later, crashed and abandoned at a nearby apartment complex. A perimeter was set up and a search ensued, but nothing was found.
According to APD, Rhyne is also facing three outstanding felony warrants for motions to revoke personal recognizance bonds for burglary of vehicle with two or more prior convictions, theft of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
APD said information leading to Rhyne's arrest came from anonymous tips provided to Capital Area Crime Stoppers. In addition to the $1,000 reward from Crime Stoppers, three additional rewards were offered in this case. The Greater Austin Crime Commission offered $5,000, while Austin Cops for Charities offered $3,000 and the Austin Police Association offered $2,000. According to APD, the individuals who provided the information will be eligible for the reward money.
