Ellis Police Department Press Release
On Jan. 15 at 7:05 p.m., Ellis Police Department Officers were alerted to a possible erratic driver that was reported to be driving at high rates of speed through residential areas.
Officers located the vehicle in question, a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, driving northbound in the 1500 block of Monroe Street.
EPD officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver, later identified as Clinton Evans, 40, of Ellis failed to yield to law enforcement and a pursuit ensued.
Clinton led officers on a brief pursuit that lasted approximately 8 minutes.
An Ellis County Sheriff’s Deputy was successful in deploying a tire deflation device that deflated all four tires on the suspect vehicle, ultimately bringing it to a stop in the 900 block of Old Highway 40.
A felony stop was initiated where officers attempted to take Clinton into custody.
Clinton further failed to comply with lawful orders from Law Enforcement and a standoff occurred.
Law Enforcement attempted to negotiate a peaceful resolution but negotiations failed.
Making use of an armored vehicle as cover, officers were able to force entry into the suspect vehicle and deploy a chemical agent to attempt to gain compliance.
When that failed, Law Enforcement formed an arrest team that was successful in taking Clinton into custody without further incident.
Clinton is being held in the Ellis County Jail on requested charges of Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude, Felony Interference with Law Enforcement, Criminal Carrying of a Weapon, and numerous traffic offenses. Clinton is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
No further information about this incident will be released at this time.
I’d like to thank the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Hays Communications Center for their assistance with this case.
Avery A. Smith
Chief of Police