Passenger Jumps from Moving Vehicle During Police Chase in Jonesboro, Driver Arrested

JONESBORO, Ark. — A passenger leapt from a moving vehicle as its driver attempted to elude police during a traffic stop in Jonesboro on Thursday, according to a probable cause affidavit. The driver, later identified as Markel D. Ellis, was arrested inside an apartment after being bitten by a police dog.

Ellis appeared in court on Friday, Oct. 9, where a judge set his bond at $150,000 cash or surety with GPS monitoring. Court records indicate this is Ellis’ 19th arrest and note that he was on parole with parole-violation holds. The handwritten notes further describe a history of failing to appear in court, fleeing, and escaping custody. These details pertain to his arrest history, not convictions.

The incident began on the evening of Oct. 8 near Oakbrook and South Caraway Road, when an officer observed a red passenger car speeding and failing to signal near Caraway Road and Fox Meadow Lane, according to the affidavit. The officer activated emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, at which point the vehicle initially stopped in the roadway, reversed toward the patrol car, and turned back toward Caraway Road.

The affidavit states that Ellis shouted from within the car, demanding to know why he was being pulled over, while officers gave verbal commands. When a second officer arrived, Ellis allegedly drove around that officer’s patrol car, forcing the officer to retreat quickly into the vehicle for safety. A passenger then jumped from the moving car as Ellis accelerated away, the affidavit states.

Officers pursued the car north on Caraway Road into the Links apartment complex. Ellis allegedly turned off his headlights and drove at high speed through the complex, temporarily distancing himself from the police. Moments later, the vehicle traveled east through the center of the complex, where Ellis abandoned it and fled on foot. Officers reported finding identification in the vehicle and later confirmed Ellis was the driver using a photograph.

Police tracked Ellis to an apartment where the resident permitted them to conduct a search, the affidavit says. Officers found Ellis barricaded inside a bedroom and repeatedly ordered him to surrender. When he refused, the officers brought in a police dog, issuing additional warnings before releasing it. According to the affidavit, the dog located and bit Ellis, enabling officers to secure him in handcuffs.

Ellis received treatment for the dog bite before being booked into the Craighead County Detention Center. A previously issued bench warrant was also served during his detention.

Ellis faces charges including felony fleeing, reckless driving, resisting arrest, driving with a canceled, suspended, or revoked license, speeding 1 to 15 mph over the limit, and failure to signal, according to first-appearance paperwork. Fleeing carries a classification as a Class D felony. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 23 at 8:30 a.m. in the Craighead County Courthouse.

The charges against Ellis remain allegations until they are proven in court.