What to Know
- Police reportedly began chasing the white pickup truck in West Dallas
- Pursuit continued through Las Colinas, Grapevine, Lewisville and on Interstate 35E to Corinth
- Driver surrenders peacefully; dog seen inside truck cabin appeared unharmed
A truck theft suspect was arrested Friday after leading authorities on a chase through Dallas and Denton counties, with a white pup in tow, officials said.
There were no injuries reported and the dog, along with the truck, have been returned to the owner, police said.
Joshua Aguilera surrendered to officers about 10:00 a.m. after stopping the stolen truck hauling a tanker trailer that leaked across Dallas and Denton counties.
It started when officers responded to a carjacking at a scrap yard located at Westmoreland Road and Interstate 30 in Dallas, police said.
“All the sudden someone started yelling, someone's stealing your truck,” said Norman Junge. “I threw my hard hat at the window, and I start pounding on the window, trying to stop the truck."
Junge was unsuccessful in stopping the truck, and a police chase ensued. Winding through busy neighborhood streets and freeways, there were several near-misses. Video from Texas Sky Ranger at one point showed the truck driving the wrong way, heading northbound in the southbound lanes of Loop 12. The truck then headed west on Texas 114 in Las Colinas and State Highway 121 in Grapevine.
State Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety joined the chase near Lewisville. At least once, a trooper could be seen shooting at the driver's tires.
“There were a lot of close calls,” said Gary Williky of Corinth, who watched a TV feed of the chase and then went to the scene when it ended. “It looks like the state troopers either fired a shot or did something to the tires, because that's what forced this guy to stop."
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The pickup came to a stop shortly after 10 a.m. in Corinth. The driver slowly climbed out of the front seat and put his hands in the air as troopers surrounded him with their guns drawn. He was handcuffed and detained moments later. Hanging off the door of that truck – the reason why Norman Junge was so concerned.
His dog, Mia.
“My biggest concern was he was going to throw the dog out the window, because she's so friendly,” he said. “She'll get into your lap. I guess she was in is lap when police confronted him."
Mia is ten, and goes everywhere with Junge, including work. He’s thankful his friend is okay -- knowing how it could have turned out.
“Words can't even describe how happy I am to have this dog back,” he said.
