WFAA-TV

Police and dogs scour a field in Melissa.

Texas Highway Patrol

Bobby Lynn Haliburton

MESLISSA - Armed with tracking dogs, DPS troopers on horses scoured fields in Melissa after a suspect bailed from his car and took off on foot.

The chase started in Fannin County and spanned three counties. Authorities said a trooper shot a fire at the suspect's car when he attempted to run over the patrolman.

The high speed chase turned into a foot pursuit just south of Melissa Road on the service road of Highway 75. The suspect's car veered off the road, crashed through a fence and then caught afire after running over spikes set up in the road by authorities.

While a woman, who was a passenger in the suspect's car, was taken into custody, the driver, 29-year-old Bobby Lynn Haliburton, took off into the field on foot.

No details have been revealed as to why the pursuit originally began, but police said drugs were found in the car.

In addition to the search dogs and troopers, seven helicopters flew from above to assist in the search.

Police have called Haliburton dangerous and are urging residents in the Melissa area to be on alert. Authorities said Haliburton may be shirtless since they found his shirt in the car. He is 165 lbs, 5-4 and has brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone who spots Haliburton is asked to call 911.

WFAA-TV's Jonathan Betz and WFAA.com's Marjorie Owens contributed to this report