ARMED AND BARRICADED SUBJECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC STOP
Tom Green County, TX - On Saturday, February 15, 2025, at approximately 8:00 PM, a Tom Green County Sheriff's Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 67 near FM 1692.
Upon initial contact, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as Antonio Villareal Diaz, 27, of Ballinger, brandished a firearm and held it to his head, threatening to take his own life. Additional deputies and a Texas State Trooper quickly arrived to assist, initiating negotiations to de-escalate the situation.
Additional Sheriff's Office patrol units and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) personnel responded to secure the scene. The Tom Green County Special Response Team (SRT) and Crisis Negotiation Unit were dispatched to assist in resolving the standoff safely.
Negotiators established contact with Diaz via cellphone, and after several hours of negotiations, he surrendered his weapon and was taken into custody at approximately 11:30 PM without further incident. After the firearm was secured, deputies found over 119 grams of Methamphetamine in his vehicle.
Diaz has outstanding felony warrants for Burglary of a Habitation and Possession of a Controlled Substance out of Runnels County. Diaz will be additionally charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and possession of a Controlled Substance as a result of this traffic stop. Additional charges may be forthcoming.
As a matter of interest, Diaz is the same subject who led Tom Green County Deputies on a chase into Runnels County on January 25th and was apprehended two days later. In that episode, deputies seized 116 grams of Methamphetamine, and a loaded AR-15 rifle.
The Tom Green County Sheriff's Office extends its gratitude to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, San Angelo Police Department, Runnels County Sheriff's Office, and the San Angelo Fire Department for their assistance and coordinated efforts in ensuring a peaceful resolution.
