Buda Police Work to Defuse Park Incident – Warrant Issued
BUDA, TEXAS – On Saturday, Oct. 29, Buda Police responded to a call in which a suspect in a pick-up truck allegedly drove onto Stoneridge Park grounds toward a group of youth, potentially endangering them. An arrest warrant subsequently has been issued for the suspect.
Buda Police were dispatched around 5:06 p.m., arrived at Stoneridge Park, and investigated an incident where a dispute occurred between a group of boys. One of the younger boys called his father who drove over to the park. A driver drove a vehicle onto the park grounds towards the boys. The boys perceived the driver to be coming towards them aggressively. The subsequent investigation found that the suspect did drive onto the park grounds with youth present. As Buda Police took statements with varying accounts of what happened at the park, they were dispatched to a “high priority, in-progress.” Because there was no ongoing threat, the responding officer indicated they would need to leave to respond to the other call.
The father who initially called for police was upset that Buda Police did not arrest the truck driver immediately, before they completed their investigation.
Buda Police Chief Bo Kidd said, “Let’s be clear. We care about all of our citizens, particularly our youth. Driving onto park grounds could endanger the youth who were in the park, and that is unacceptable.” However, Kidd explained, “When there is a delayed report of an offense that did not occur in the presence or view of officers and there is no imminent danger to the parties involved, it is typical to seek a warrant from a judge rather than to make a warrantless arrest.
Police officers filed their reports, and a probable cause affidavit was submitted to a judge. An arrest warrant for “endangerment of a child” has been issued for the suspect. The suspect has been notified of the warrant and instructed to turn himself in to police within 24 hours.
The City of Buda is home to about 18,000 residents and has earned designations as a “Texas Main Street City,” “Tree City USA,” “Bee City Affiliate” and “Platinum Level Scenic City.” Buda is situated along the Interstate 35 corridor, has 14 parks and a historic downtown district where residents and visitors alike can shop, dine, relax, and breathe easy here.
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