Mesquite Police Pursuit Leads to Arrest of Murder Suspect
MESQUITE, Texas – A dramatic police chase in Mesquite on Monday morning concluded with the arrest of a suspect wanted for murder in Dallas.
Details of the Police Chase
The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Skylar Wells, allegedly stole a vehicle from a storage facility located off U.S. Highway 80 in Mesquite. Shortly after the theft, a police officer observed the car driving erratically and attempted to pull it over.
As the officer pursued, he communicated the ongoing situation over the radio, only to discover from another officer that the vehicle had just been reported stolen. “They were aware of the fact that that was a taken vehicle from within the city,” noted Sgt. Curtis Phillips of the Mesquite Police Department.
The chase ended when officers deployed spike strips, which successfully deflated one of the vehicle’s tires, allowing them to apprehend Wells.
Connections to Dallas Murder Case
Following his arrest, police uncovered that Wells was wanted in connection with the murder of Gerald Frazier, a youth football coach from Dallas, who was fatally shot on April 10.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Wells had been staying with Frazier but was asked to leave due to disruptive behavior. Witnesses reported that during a confrontation, Wells shot Frazier, leading to the murder charge against him. “They had no idea about the murder warrant, just acting in good instinct,” Sgt. Phillips remarked about the officers who pursued Wells.
Assault on Officers During Detention
In addition to the murder and vehicle theft charges, Wells now faces four counts of assault on a public servant. Reports indicate that while in custody, he became uncooperative and assaulted four officers, two of whom were bitten during the altercation.
Currently, Wells is being held at the Dallas County Jail, where his total bond has been set at $760,000.