Jul 31, 2007 8:21 pm US/Central
CBS 11 News Examines Dallas County's Chase Policy
by Brooke Richie
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
Police released new information on the man who led police on a high speed chase that ended in Richardson Monday.
Investigators say Ronald Teague lived among at least 50 cats and dogs. They also found piles of dead animals in his east Dallas house.
Teague had also allegedly threatened to kill a neighbor two weeks ago.
Dallas County constables say that Teague has lead police on several chases.
But when constables tried to pull him over Monday, all they knew was that Teague's Indiana plates had expired.
After Teague fled, they learned the vehicle was stolen.
Is a stolen vehicle justification for a dangerous high speed chase?
"The danger is, you don't know what other offenses he has just committed, that he has committed in the past, or may commit in the future," said Dallas County Chief Deputy Craig McKnight.
Dallas County's chase policy is left up to the discretion of the officer.
"If the vehicle flees, [an officer] has authorization to pursue," said Chief Deputy McKnight. "He also has authorization to call the chase off if he deems it too risky."
Monday, officers remained in hot pursuit of Teague, even when his speed neared 100 miles an hour.
The chase ended safely and Chief Deputy McKnight said they wouldn't have done things differently. In this case, he says the ends justified the means.
"Had we let him go, and not put him in custody, and he carried out those threats, in my opinion, we assume some responsibility, if not liability," said Chief Deputy McKnight.
Teague remains in Dallas County jail on $50,000 bond.
Police will also look into whether he should face criminal charges for the animals in his house.
(CBS 11 News)
FEATURED SLIDESHOW: A Look Inside The House Of A Suspected Cat Collector
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