Two Deputies Injured Overnight During Arrest of Repeat Offender
Yesterday evening, at approximately 9:00 PM, Precinct 8 Deputies responded to the CVS Pharmacy located in the 2400 block of Bay Area Blvd. for a report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, Deputies learned from store employees that a known subject, 18 year old Najii Ali, had been at this location harassing customers. Ali had previously been issued a Criminal Trespass Warning for this location from previous incidents that occurred on August 22nd and August 23rd. Deputies were able to locate Ali in an adjacent parking lot and attempted to detain him. While attempting to apply handcuffs, Ali resisted the Deputies’ efforts and a struggle ensued. After several minutes, they were able to secure him with the assistance of two UHCL police officers and an additional Precinct 8 Deputy who arrived on scene to assist. Ali attempted to “head butt” one Deputy in his face and spat towards another. Ali continued to be combative after being placed in the patrol car by kicking the patrol car doors aggressively. During the struggle, one of the Deputies sustained a large abrasion and bruising to his right forearm. A second Deputy sustained injuries to his left hand, wrist and knee. Additionally, this Deputy was treated at a local emergency room for possible tissue damage to his left shoulder and a sprained right wrist. He is now recovering at home.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office was contacted and accepted two charges of Assault on a Public Servant. He was booked into the Harris County Joint Processing Center and is currently awaiting arraignment. Bonds have not yet been set in this case.
This incident was not the first encounter Precinct 8 Deputies have had with Najii Ali. On September 8, 2024, Precinct 8 units were dispatched to the 1200 block of Bay Area Blvd. after it was reported Ali was running into the street and climbing on top of vehicles. In that case, a Precinct 8 Deputy arrived and witnessed this activity. While interacting with Ali, the Deputy smelled the odor of marijuana and asked Ali if he had anything illegal on his person. Ali retrieved a baggie of what appeared to be marijuana and handed it to the Deputy. Upon attempting to detain him for further investigation, Ali fled on foot and the Deputy chased him for several blocks before apprehending him and taking him into custody. He was charged with Evading Arrest and was booked into the Harris County Jail. He was later released from jail on September 9th after a motion to dismiss was filed by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Harris County Court at Law No. 2, citing “insufficient evidence”.
On May 23, 2024, court records revealed Ali was charged by the Houston Police Department with Evading Arrest or Detention and Interfering with the Duties of a Public Servant while an officer was investigating reports that Ali was harassing school aged children and a crossing guard in the 17100 block of Saturn Ln. This case was also later dismissed on July 10, 2024 after a motion to dismiss was filed by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Harris County Court at Law No. 2, citing “insufficient evidence”.
Last night’s incident marked at least the 10th time Precinct 8 Deputies have responded to incidents involving Najii Ali since 2023. Most of the cases involved trespassing, theft, harassment and/or disturbances in which he was either warned, cited, arrested or issued criminal trespass warnings.
