A 29-year-old Gilmer man, Jacob Andrew Swanson, is in the Wood County Jail after leading law enforcement on a pursuit in a stolen vehicle and threatening to commit “suicide by cop.”
According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when Swanson fled from Mineola Police on Sunday. The pursuit ended at U.S. 80 and FM 1255 in Van Zandt County, where Swanson refused to exit the stolen vehicle and was found to be armed.
A SWAT team and hostage negotiator were called to the scene to address Swanson’s threats. Negotiations lasted approximately 40 minutes but were unsuccessful. Tear gas and pepper spray projectiles were deployed, but Swanson still refused to leave the vehicle.
Authorities ultimately pulled him from the vehicle, and he was arrested by Mineola Police. Swanson is being held in the Wood County Jail on charges of Evading Arrest in a Vehicle, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. His bonds total $80,000.