Lufkin Police released an edited video of a Monday night pursuit that resulted in the arrest of Abel Lopez of Burke.  The following is a recount of Tuesday night's events.  

 

A Lufkin Police officer initiated a traffic stop on Lopez's black Ford SUV on Atkinson Drive near Myrtie Street due to it having no visible tail lights around 7:30 p.m. Lopez, 35, of Burke, refused to stop and continued on to Paul Avenue before heading northbound on Loop 287 with the officer in pursuit.

Pct. 1 Constable Tom Selman managed to spike Lopez's tires near the intersection of Loop 287 and Sayers Street, bringing the pursuit to a slow roll. Lopez then bailed out in front of the Dairy Queen near the intersection of State highway 94 west. Officers ran him down and he was taken into custody behind a home in the 200 block of Berry Road moments later.

The chase lasted roughly 13 minutes. There was a very brief period where Lopez accelerated more than 80 mph, but average speeds before his tires were spiked were around 65 mph. After his tires were spiked, Lopez traveled at roughly 30 mph for the final few miles.

During the chase, the officer noted that Lopez threw items out of his vehicle window. Officers later recovered a cigarette box containing three baggies of cocaine. They also found a backpack inside Lopez's vehicle that contained a scale, drug pipe, unused baggies and prescription drugs that were not his.  A woman in the vehicle with Lopez during the pursuit was released after she was found to have no warrants.

Lopez is charged with evading arrest with a vehicle, possession of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also had a parole warrant.

Texas Department of Public Safety, Angelina County Sheriff's Office and Constable Selman assisted in the pursuit.

Contributed Photo/Lufkin Police
Contributed Photo/Lufkin Police
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