Abilene Man Arrested After Crime Spree, Police Chase, and Home Invasion

ABILENE, TX – James Dalton Hale, 32, was arrested on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, after a series of burglaries, an armed threat, a police pursuit, and a final home invasion in Abilene.

The day’s events began with patrol officers responding to multiple burglary calls. In one incident, Hale allegedly had a weapon and fled from a scene. When a witness pursued him, Hale reportedly turned and pointed a handgun at the witness, issuing threats. He then entered another home, stole truck keys, and fled the area in the stolen vehicle. Earlier that day, Hale had allegedly broken into a different residence and fired his weapon into the ceiling. During the initial investigation, he was identified as the suspect.

An attempt to locate was issued for Hale, who was already wanted on an outstanding warrant for possession of methamphetamines. Patrol Officers and the Department’s Street Crimes Unit later located Hale in the stolen truck at a north Abilene movie theater. When officers attempted to apprehend him, Hale allegedly rammed the truck into officers’ vehicles and other cars in the parking lot. He then evaded police, dangerously driving down the wrong side of Interstate 20.

The pursuit ended when Hale crashed the truck into the fence of a home in the 1200 block of Cedar. He then fled on foot, running into a home on Orange Street while evading and allegedly threatening the homeowner’s life. Officers apprehended him after he ran from that residence.

James Dalton Hale was arrested and charged with: