VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas – Four people are in custody following a vehicle chase that began in Smith County and extended through multiple other East Texas counties on Sunday. The pursuit involved a missing 14-year-old girl, according to authorities.
Around 5 p.m., law enforcement officers from Lindale police and Smith County sheriff’s deputies attempted to pull over a vehicle believed to be related to the missing teenager. The driver refused to stop, initiating a chase that initially headed towards Longview before turning back on Interstate 20.
According to the Van Zandt County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office, the pursued vehicle briefly veered onto the Hideaway Lake golf course before continuing into Van Zandt County. The chase concluded in Van when the Van Police Department successfully deployed tire-spiking devices on the front two tires of the vehicle. The vehicle came to a halt at the westbound rest area near Van.
Four adult males, all from Arlington, were taken into custody at the scene without further incident, the constable’s office reported. One of the men was wanted on outstanding warrants, while another had removed an ankle monitor he was required to wear. The missing 14-year-old girl was also present in the vehicle and was taken into custody as well. The Texas Highway Patrol and Texas Game Wardens also assisted in the incident.
