HOUSTON – A wanted felon is in custody after leading police on a 70-mile police chase from Willis to southeast Harris County.
It began around 12:30 Monday morning when Conroe police tried to pull over the driver of a white Chevrolet Silverado for a traffic violation in Montgomery County. The driver, later identified as 26-year-old Lionel Rodriguez, didn't pull over and instead led police on a pursuit that topped speeds of 105 miles per hour.
Authorities said Rodriguez of the truck called 911 and told the dispatcher that he was a wanted felon and said he did not want to stop and wanted police officers to end his life.
Police said the dispatcher talked to Rodriguez for the majority of the pursuit. When Rodriguez would hang up, the dispatcher would call back. She called him back about six times.
At one point, that dispatcher got Rodriguez's boss on the phone and were able to help convince him to pull over.
The chase ended around 1:30 a.m. along the Beltway and Cullen Boulevard.
Conroe police said Rodriguez was taken to Montgomery County Jail. He had active warrants for forgery, probation violations and a child support warrant. Rodriguez is also charged with evading in a motor vehicle.