2 Arrested and 1 Sought in Chase and Shooting

TYLER � A man involved in a chase and shooting in Smith County remains at large. Lindale police have identified him as Carlos Bonilla, 22. Two passengers with him are in custody. They are identified as Jesus Flores Jr., 27, and Thomas Ocampo, 25. It started around 9:45 Friday night as police were conducting a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 69 near Lindale. The SUV sped away from the traffic stop after officers noticed a firearm inside. During the case to Tyler, the Bonilla is said to have fired several shots at pursuing officers. No one was hit.

Smith County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies joined pursuit, as well as officers from the Whitehouse Police Department, Smith County Constable Precinct 1 Office, Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office, Tyler Police Department, Canton Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The pursuit lasted from Jim Hogg Road in Lindale, down Highway 69 North, and finally ended when the vehicle wrecked near Glenwood Street north of Gentry. Bonilla and his passengers fled into nearby woods. The passengers, Flores and Ocampo, were later arrested. The search for Bonilla, who was last seen around Garden Valley Road in Tyler, continues.