Interstate 35 through Round Rock had to be shut down for a short time Tuesday morning during a bizarre police chase where the suspect jumped off a bridge, trying to escape.

It happened around 11 a.m. Round Rock police say an off-duty officer saw a man try to steal a woman's purse at a shopping complex at the corner of Sam Bass and I-35. Police say the suspect escaped on foot, and they began a massive search of the area between Highway and 79 and RR 620.

The suspect was spotted running across Highway 79 under the I-35 bridge as officers started closing on him. The suspect ran up a grass hill, crossed northbound traffic and leaped over a concrete medium into southbound lanes, bringing traffic to a stop in both directions.

As officers closed in, the suspect was trapped on the overpass, and, in a desperate attempt to escape, he jumped off the overpass, landing about 20 feet below on I-35.

The suspect -- Brian Christopher Davis, 24 -- is charged with robbery. He was taken to Brackenridge Hospital for broken bones.

More charges are pending.