Thursday, November 8, 2001

Metroplex Briefs

Police chase burning tractor-trailer in Dallas

DALLAS (AP) — Police arrested the driver of a flaming lumber truck Wednesday after chasing the stolen rig for more than 90 minutes as it careened across highways and through neighborhoods.

At one point, a police officer fired shots at the cab of the tractor-trailer as it slowed. But the truck pulled away.

Several officers finally pulled the driver out after the truck stopped near a bridge where traffic was restricted by construction.

No injuries were reported during the chase that took a circuitous route through the nation’s ninth-largest city, home to 1.2 million residents.

The chase began shortly after police responded to an aggravated robbery call in south Dallas, police spokeswoman Diana Watts said.

Officers saw the owner of the truck hanging off the back of the rig as it was being stolen. The owner fell off, but he didn’t appear to be seriously injured, Watts said.

During the chase, flames and thick black smoke erupted from the truck, which was loaded with a forklift, plastic piping, wood and other construction materials. It was unclear how the fire started, Watts said.

Police did not immediately release the man’s name, his condition or what charges he was arrested on.

The chase was covered live nationally for nearly 40 minutes on CNN and Fox News Channel.

Restaurant owner announces Dallas mayor bid

Tom Landis, owner of five Metroplex Texadelphia Cheesesteak Restaurants, announced his candidacy for mayor of Dallas Wednesday night at a fund raising event for the National Paralysis Foundation.

His goal is to help the Hispanic community and the Dallas Independent School District in bringing students closer to the parents, he said.