One Man Arrested Following Wild Chase in Tyler

TYLER — Tyler Police said they received a 911 call that a person’s 2014 Dodge truck was stolen from Lowes on Broadway. The owner reportedly left his vehicle running while he was in the process of loading items into the back of his truck. Police said Thomas Atwell stole the vehicle and drove away at a high rate of speed. A citizen observed the vehicle being stolen and provided transportation to the victim in an attempt to follow the stolen vehicle until they lost sight of it at Old Jacksonville and Loop 323. A short time later, Tyler Police received a call of a hit and run at Houston and Glenwood involving what we believed to be the stolen vehicle and a silver Chevrolet Impala.

While Tyler Police responded to that location, another hit and run accident was reported at Loop 323 and W Erwin. This accident also involved the same stolen vehicle. The stolen vehicle drove into the back of a Black Kia Soul and pushed it into an tractor truck and trailer. A witness followed the suspect north on the loop. He then turned right onto Van Highway before turning around and driving back north on Highway 110.

In about the 2900 Block of Van Highway, the suspect crashed into a Silver Chevy Malibu that was driving eastbound. The driver of the Malibu sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital by ETMC EMS. Tyler Police officers were able to apprehend the suspect shortly after the crash.

Thomas Atwell was arrested for UUMV, DWI, and multiple hit and run accidents. He also sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Tyler Police.