K9 Eli hunts down wanted suspect who fled from Marion Deputy during a traffic stop
By: On April 22, 2023, at around 12:30 a.m., K-9 Deputy Gabriel Pulford conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 9000 block of NW Gainesville Road for speeding. The driver, who was later identified as De’Ante Chisholm (B/M, DOB: 05/26/1999), provided Deputy Pulford with a photo of a driver’s license that did not belong to him. Chisholm stated he left his wallet at home and did not have any additional form of identification, but he maintained that the driver’s license in the photo was his.
Deputy Pulford returned to his patrol vehicle and conducted a records search, which led him to believe that Chisholm had falsely identified himself. Upon returning to Chisholm’s vehicle, Deputy Pulford could smell the odor of marijuana and asked Chisholm to exit the vehicle. After a brief pause, Chisholm drove away from the traffic stop at a high rate of speed and nearly collided with a passing vehicle. Deputy Pulford then initiated a vehicle pursuit.
Chisholm fled northbound on Northwest Gainesville Road for more than three miles. He ultimately lost control of the vehicle while turning westbound onto West Highway 329 and collided with a fence near the intersection. Chisholm exited the vehicle and continued to flee from Deputy Pulford on foot. Deputy Pulford and his partner, K-9 Eli, initiated a foot pursuit. After a short distance, Chisholm was apprehended by K-9 Eli and placed under arrest. Additional deputies arrived in the area to assist.
During a search of Chisholm’s backpack, deputies located a stolen firearm, approximately 113 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and $750 in cash. Further investigation revealed that Chisholm is a convicted felon, and he had active warrants for failure to appear in two felony cases.
Chisholm was arrested for Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Marijuana (more than 20 Grams), Giving False Identification to a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest without Violence, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, in addition to the warrants for his failure to appear in court. He was medically cleared and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he remains.