Traffic stop results in foot chase

By Jimmy LaRoue

Published: September 4, 2008

A routine traffic stop outside Staunton city limits turned into a lengthy foot chase by police and ended in the arrest of a man on multiple charges in the early morning hours on Sept. 1.
John Hansford Ellinger, 30, was a passenger in a car that had been pulled over by Staunton police at 1:15 a.m. on Richmond Avenue near Interstate 81, according to Officer Lisa Klein. She said Ellinger gave false information about his name and Social Security number before fleeing on foot into rough and hilly terrain.
More than five Staunton police officers, including a K-9 officer, pursued Ellinger on foot for 45 to 50 minutes, Klein said.
Once Ellinger was taken into custody, Klein said Ellinger “continued to fight the police officers.”
“He remained aggressive throughout the entire encounter,” Klein said.
Klein said police used Tasers to subdue Ellinger, who was taken to Augusta Medical Center and evaluated before being released into police custody. She had no information on any injuries to Ellinger.
Two officers were injured, neither seriously, Klein said, though one of them has yet to return to active duty.
The incident tied up officers for four to five hours, Klein said.
Ellinger is being held at Middle River Regional Jail. He faces charges of giving false information to police, resisting arrest, escaping from custody, two felony counts of assault on police officers and possession of a controlled substance.
He was also wanted on a probation violation from Harrisonburg, and by federal marshals for weapons violations in West Virginia.
Though the incident took place just outside the city limits, Klein said Staunton police have “complete jurisdiction” for one mile outside the city limits.