HPD Arrests Suspect in Motorcycle Cop Crash

Houston, TX -- Dante J. Moore, 27, of Houston, was booked into county on Wednesday, July 13, for allegedly causing the death of Marco Zarate, 52, an officer with the Bellaire Police Department.

Moore is charged with murder, he allegedly lead Zarate on a chase that resulted in Zarate having a fatal wipe out.

Want more Houston news? Click here for our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

On Tuesday, July 12, Zarate was on duty and parked in the Meyerland Plaza Target parking lot. A loss prevention officer flagged Zarate down and reported a theft/possible robbery.

The suspects got in an older model green Chevy Malibu and took off heading south on Endicott Lane with Zarate in pursuit. The Malibu hung on Jason Street, Zarate was still on their tail. The Malibu took a hard right on Ferris Drive, Zarate followed.

When the chase hit the 8500 block of Ferris, up near Beechnut, Zarate lost control of his bike and plowed into the back of a trailer filled with lawnmowers and weed whackers. Zarate was taken to Memorial Hermann where he was pronounced dead.

HPD later ID'ed Moore as a suspect in the death. He surrendered himself and admitted that he was allegedly behind the wheel when Zarate died