Police Chase Spans Two Counties, Followed by Standoff

One man is in custody following a high speed chase through two counties and a standoff.

Michael Atkins ran from police after Hale County deputies attempted to serve an attempted capital murder warrant to him near Petersburg.

Atkins escaped from the deputies in a silver convertible, and fled to Idalou, where he proceeded to crash the vehicle into a ditch and continued on foot into a house, which authorities believe belongs to his girlfriend.

The standoff, which took place at a home near Farm-to-Market 400 and US 62/82, took about 45 minutes to resolve.

Lubbock County Sheriff’s deputies used a flash grenade to distract Michael Atkins, who had reportedly taken the time during the incident to light a cigarette and drink alcohol, and tazed him.

Atkins was taken to University Medical Center for evaluation. More on this story as it develops.