MESQUITE, Texas – 42-year-old James Ledenham of Mesquite, Texas, was arrested after leading police on a chase through Mesquite, Sunnyvale, and Forney.
MESQUITE, Texas – 42-year-old James Ledenham of Mesquite, Texas, was arrested after leading police on a chase through Mesquite, Sunnyvale, and Forney.
At approximately 1:50 p.m., the Mesquite Police Department began pursuing Ledenham for unknown reasons. Ledenham put a gun to his head and fled in his white 2009 Ford F-150.
The Forney Police Department joined the pursuit when it entered their city on U.S. Highway 80. The pursuit traveled eastbound on the highway where Ledenham exited at the County Road 212/217 exit. Ledenham remained on the service road until the Gateway bridge where he took a u-turn and re-entered U.S. Highway 80 traveling westbound. A Forney police officer witnessed Ledenham place the gun to his head.
Dallas County Sheriff's deputies successfully deployed spike strips on U.S. Highway 80 near Lawson Road. The driver side front and rear tires were deflated. A box truck Ledenham was tailgating also suffered punctures to their tires.
The pursuit slowed down and Ledenham exited the highway at Collins Road/State Highway 352 where he came to a stop on the exit ramp. Officers with the Mesquite Police Department, Forney Police Department, Dallas County Sheriff's Office, and Kaufman County Precinct 2 Constable's Office began a standoff with Ledenham.
Eastbound and westbound U.S. Highway 80, including the service roads, were closed to through traffic during the standoff.
During a portion of the pursuit and the standoff, Mesquite Police Department negotiators spoke with Ledenham by phone. A SWAT team with an armored Bearcat vehicle also arrived on scene.
Ledenham agreed with negotiators on the phone to lower his weapon, exit the vehicle, place his hands on his head, and surrender in the grass. Ledenham was taken into custody without further incident just before 3 p.m.
The highway was re-opened but the Collins Road/SH 352 remained closed while officers checked Ledenham's vehicle and towed it away.
Police have not yet stated what charges Ledenham will be facing.