By ,
Published January 14, 2015
The driver of a pickup truck who allegedly pumped gas and fled without paying led authorities on a high-speed chase Friday across several counties in the Dallas area.
The long chase ended with police bumping the truck from behind and forcing the driver into a swampy, grassy area off a highway. They pulled the man from the vehicle at gunpoint and took him into custody about 2 p.m.
A police dispatcher in the small north Texas town of Melissa, 35 miles north of Dallas, said the chase began Friday morning after the motorist allegedly drove off from a gas station in nearby Van Alstyne without paying.
The dispatcher says the motorist then almost hit an officer while evading a spike strip deployed to deflate the truck tires.
A Van Alstyne police spokesman didn't return a message left by The Associated Press seeking details.
News reports estimated the truck was traveling 70-75 mph. The long chase was broadcast live on television, with state troopers and police in pursuit of the pickup.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has joined the chase as the motorist evaded numerous spike strips placed in his path as the chase proceeded south through at least five counties, including Dallas County and the heart of Dallas.
Click here for more on this story from MyFOXDFW.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/truck-driver-in-texas-police-chase-allegedly-left-gas-station-without-paying