Suspect in serious condition

Friday, May 26, 2000 | 10:30 a.m.

A 30-year-old man who collapsed in Metro Police custody Thursday was listed today in serious condition at University Medical Center.

James Silvestri was arrested inside a smoke shop at the corner of Lamb Boulevard and Sahara Avenue after leading officers on a short chase beginning at about 12:45 p.m., police said.

A patrol officer spotted Silvestri driving a small, red Honda with no license plate in the area of Sahara and Cincinnati Avenue, and when the police tried to make a traffic stop, the Honda continued on, Lt. Wayne Petersen said.

"The driver bailed out of his car in a business complex at Sahara and Lamb, and the car continued forward, hitting a parked car," Petersen said.

Police then started chasing Silvestri on foot and caught up with him after he entered the smoke shop, Petersen said.

"He was handcuffed and taken into custody, and as they walked back to the patrol car he collapsed," Petersen said. "They had walked about 50 yards when he collapsed."

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