Arizona man accused of holding 11 Texas National Guardsmen at gunpoint

PHOENIX – An Arizona man was arrested in northwest Texas on Monday after reportedly holding 11 National Guardsman at gunpoint.

Larry Harris, 66, of Willcox thought he was thwarting a kidnapping when he forced a van convoy to pull over in Lubbock County, authorities told local news outlets.

The guardsmen, who were unarmed and in uniform, were actually transporting COVID-19 vaccines to the town of Matador.

Harris allegedly followed the three vans from a Love’s truck stop in Lubbock for 10 miles before forcing them off the road and holding them at gunpoint near Idalou.

“He made a U-turn on the highway and parked his vehicle head-on in front of those vans, got out, announced that he was a detective, didn’t show a badge, didn’t show credentials,” Idalou Police Chief Eric Williams told Lubbock TV station KAMC.

While Harris searched the vans, one of the guardsman called 911. Idalou police responded and arrested Harris without incident.

Harris was booked into a Lubbock County jail on multiple charges, including interference with Texas military forces and impersonating a public servant.

Williams told Lubbock TV station KCBD that Harris “appeared to be mentally erratic.”

Harris was carrying a loaded pistol and an extra magazine and had more ammunition in his truck, Williams told KAMC.

“We’re very thankful that he didn’t start shooting them,” Williams told KAMC.

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