The Denton police officer rapped on the elderly driver's Jeep, telling her to roll down the window and unlock the door.

But Nancy Strader, who honest to God just wanted to get a cup of coffee, had other ideas.

An image from dash-cam video footage showing Strader's vehicle as it begins to pull away from officers. (Denton Police Department / WFAA-TV)

"Why should I stop when I've done nothing?" the 81-year-old would say later, according to bodycam video obtained by WFAA-TV.

So despite the officer's protestations, Strader simply drove away, with police in pursuit, with speeds reaching as much as 25 mph.

As far as slow-speed police chases involving white multi-purpose vehicles go, Thursday's early morning pursuit will not go down as the most famous. But it might be the most improbable.

"I just was out riding around," Strader would tell the news station later. "I thought, I'm going to go have me some coffee or a sandwich or something because I hadn't eaten all day."

Strader, 81, told WFAA-TV that she just wanted to find somewhere to get a cup of coffee and a sandwich. (WFAA-TV / WFAA-TV)

But police stopped Strader after other drivers reported her driving around in circles and going the wrong direction on Elm Street.

"I just want to make sure you're OK," the bodycam video showed one officer saying to her. "Unlock the car for me."

Instead, she began to pull away.

"Don't do it," the officer ordered. "Don't. Stop! Stop the car!"

And so began the chase, with twinkling squad cars tailing Strader's Jeep for 10 minutes before she stopped again.

This time, officers slashed Strader's tires. When she again refused their request to access the vehicle, officers shattered her window and pulled her out of the vehicle.

"Nancy, why didn't you stop?" one of them asked as she sat on the ground. "Why didn't you just open the door when I knocked on the window back there?"

"Why should I stop when I've done nothing?" Strader asked police in body-cam footage obtained by WFAA-TV. (Denton Police Department / WFAA-TV)

"Why?" she answered. "It's my car. My life. My everything."

"Yeah, but when you are driving the way you are," the officer said, "you're endangering other lives."

Police say Strader was not under the influence, and paramedics declared her vital signs just fine.

She was charged with evading arrest. Fourteen hours later, her son posted $1,000 bond to spring her from jail.

She never did get that cup of coffee.