The Lufkin Texas Police Department has released more details about a high-speed chase that spanned two counties on Friday night. At 6:22 p.m., Jessica Pebsworth with Lufkin PD said they were called to Walmart for a theft in progress. A man, later identified as Leslie Jackson, 47, of Nacogdoches, had taken a television out of the box and was walking toward the Garden Center. Loss prevention associates attempted to stop Jackson, but he continued walking out and was in the parking lot when the officer arrived. The officer said he attempted to speak to Jackson, but Jackson told him, “I already talked to them,” and continued to walk away. He then got into a maroon Chevy Cruze, where a female passenger was waiting, and took off out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed, ignoring the officer.
Jackson drove through the Sam’s parking lot, around Outback Steakhouse, and then he turned right on Daniel McCall, according to police. He then took a left on College and a right on South First Street. Jackson made a U-turn on South First Street and continued north, reaching speeds well in excess of 100 mph. The pursuit continued on U.S. 59 north with speeds reaching 125-130 mph, police say, with Jackson weaving n and out of traffic. As the pursuit entered Nacogdoches County, several NCSO deputies attempted to spike the vehicle but Jackson veered, crossed the median and drove north in the southbound lanes before reentering the northbound lanes. He continued on U.S. 59 and turned right on CR 522 before bailing out the car and running behind 1048 CR 522 where he was caught by another LPD officer and taken into custody. The police video shows some of this activity, as well as the arrest after he was detained in a wooded area near residences.
The passenger got out and waited in a driveway for officers. They say she was visibly shaken and told officers that she had been trying to get out of the car because she was frightened. A DPS trooper told the officer that he noticed the woman trying to get out of the vehicle when Jackson had slowed down and that she seemed to be in distress. She told officers that Jackson had picked her up and was supposed to take her home, but asked if she would go to Walmart with him first. Officers say they do not believe she was involved in the theft. Jackson was taken to the Nacogdoches County Jail on a warrant for criminal nonsupport. A charge of third-degree-felony evading arrest with a previous conviction is pending. [Source: NewsWest9]