Police Search for Wanted Man After Early-Morning Chase

The search for a wanted man who led police on a chase early Tuesday morning took Dallas County Sheriff's deputies, Combine police and the Department of Public Safety's helicopter to a field in southeast Dallas County. Again with no luck.

On Sept. 11, Leslie Tyrone Ellison was found incompetent to stand trial on a 2011 aggravated assault charge and was to be committed to the Terrell State Hospital for up to four months. While there, on Nov. 30, he swallowed three AA batteries, the Terrell Police Department said. Ellison was being transferred to a medical hospital for treatment when he kicked open a door and escaped from custody near Interstate 30 and St. Francis Street in Dallas.

Police Chase After Midnight Tuesday

At about midnight Tuesday, a Seagoville police officer spotted a blue Chevrolet Avalanche without any license plates. Police said they believe Ellison stole an Avalanche on Dec. 2 that belonged to a friend in Dallas.

The officer attempted to get the driver to stop, but he refused.

Officers chased the driver and tracked the truck to the Shady Creek Mobile Home Park, where the driver disappeared, police said. Officers searched the area by air and on the ground, but the driver of the vehicle was not located.

A resident of Shady Creek, Anthony Castillo, checked his property Tuesday to make sure he wasn’t providing a hiding spot for Ellison.

"Checked the sheds, mainly, because they’re not locked. That’s one of the main concerns, especially because I go to work and my wife stays here, and I have two kids,” Castillo said. “I sure do hope they get him."

Deputies searched the area surrounded by woods and abandoned homes but came up empty.

Tuesday Afternoon Chase Leads to New Search for Ellison

Then Tuesday afternoon, Combine police were involved in a chase with a pickup truck, the driver – whose description matches Ellison – abandoned the truck and ran according to Dallas County deputies. Combine police called for help from the Dallas County Sheriff's Office in searching a field off Bois D Arc Road and Jimmy Lane in southeast Dallas County.

DPS Air One is using thermal imaging to search from the sky, while Dallas County Sheriff's Office sent its 40,000 lbs. Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) tactical vehicle to the scene and the Dallas and Garland Police Departments' K9 units were also called in to help track the driver.

Authorities say there was a passenger inside the car. Police would not offer any details about that person, refusing to say even if it was a man or a woman. Police did confirm that the person is being questioned.

Deputies say they are also getting calls from residents in the area asking to have their sheds and barns checked.

Investigators called off the search just before 7 p.m. because of darkness, because all leads had grown cold and there was a lack of information on the man's whereabouts or if the man was in fact Ellison.

Authorities say they will re-evaluate the search Wednesday morning.

Ellison's Criminal Past

Ellison has a history of evading, resisting, theft, vehicle theft, burglary and possession of a controlled substance. In June, records show a Dallas officer had to use a stun gun to restrain and cuff Ellison after he allegedly pointed a gun at someone and told the officer, "You'll have to kill me."

Police warn Ellison may be desperate and may also have a handgun. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.

 NBC 5's Kendra Lyn, Eric King and Don Peritz contributed to this report.

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