DALLAS – A Miami-Dade police officer was stabbed Monday night by a suspect he was transporting across state lines.
During a Tuesday morning news conference, Miami-Dade Police Director J.D. Patterson said Det. Jaime Pardinas, a 28-year-veteran, was taking Alberto Morales to Las Vegas, Nevada, on a flight from Miami to Houston. He was with Det. David Carrero, a 7-year-veteran.
The officers noted the suspect acting strangely -- bumping his head on the seat of the passenger in front of him -- on the plane so they got off the plane, rented a car, drove to Dallas and stopped at a nearby Walmart.
"After landing, we were told we could not board the plane with this gentleman anymore," said Patterson. "The officers made an effort to get a rental car and actually transfer Mr. Morales by rental car."
When Carrero went inside, Morales stabbed Pardinas four times and ran away. Authorities say he stabbed the officer in the back and chest with what police in Texas believe was a broken pair of eyeglasses.
A search is under way for Morales. Police there say they are looking for him near train tracks in Grapevine, Texas. An alert has been issued for all nearby communities to look for the suspect, who is likely still in shackles.
"Because of the nature of the crimes that he's committed, the state feels that he's a very serious offender and extremely violent and he needs to be apprehended as soon as possible," said Grapevine Police Sgt. Robert Eberling.
Morales was placed on the Texas Dept. of Public Safety's Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list. The department is offering a $10,000 for information leading to his arrest.
Police believe Morales may have stolen a Ford sport utility vehicle from a Super 8 Motel in Irving, Texas. The vehicle has Texas tag 19ZJW8.
Pardinas is in serious condition at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.
Carrero has been involved in incidents with suspects before. In North Miami Beach in May 2008, a burglary suspect shot Carrero and his police dog.
Who is Alberto Morales
WATCH: Who is Alberto Morales
According to the Miami-Dade County jail records, Morales has been charged with five counts of sexual battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of kidnapping with a weapon, and armed burglary.
On Dec. 3, 2012, Morales pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison to run consecutive to his sentence in Nevada, say police.
Police say Morales has charges dating back to 1994.