Police call off 45-minute chase

Tuesday, May 15, 2001 | 10:19 a.m.

A 45-minute police chase over a traffic violation ended late Monday night when Metro Police called off the pursuit for safety reasons.

The chase started about 11:15 p.m. near the Spaghetti Bowl, and continued south on Interstate 15, down Interstate 215 to McCarran International Airport and back onto I-15.

During the course of the pursuit of the white Pontiac, the driver narrowly avoided several accidents and ran at least seven red lights as the Pontiac reached speeds as high as 100 mph, police said.

The Pontiac finally exited I-15 onto Spring Mountain Road, and after driving for several minutes in the area near Paradise and Desert Inn roads, the driver made his way down Industrial Road to the Stardust and Circus Circus parking lots.

The car drove into the parking garage at Circus Circus and was reportedly spotted on the third floor of the structure, before eluding police and again taking to the streets. Police then ended the chase.

Lt. Joe Gemma said the pursuit was called off for safety reasons, and that police would continue to investigate the incident and follow up on finding the driver under less dangerous circumstances.

A Metro Police helicopter was used to follow the Pontiac, allowing patrol cars to drop off and follow the driver at a safe distance.