Carjacker leads police on high-speed chase

Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002 | 9:28 a.m.

A man robbed an elderly shopper at gunpoint this morning in the parking lot of Albertsons at Maryland Parkway and Sahara Avenue, then led Metro Police on a chase that ended on an Interstate 215 onramp.

The shopper was robbed at about 5 a.m. while walking from the store to a car, Officer Jose Montoya said. The suspect also stole the victim's car, a white Pontiac Grand Am.

Police spotted the car on Desert Inn Road and started chasing it. The suspect sped up and drove south on Maryland Parkway to Russell Road.

On I-215 near McCarran International Airport, the car hit the curb while going about 70 mph, but continued south through the airport connector tunnel, Montoya said.

The suspect lost control at about 100 mph while rounding the curve on the I-215 on ramp heading toward Henderson and the car flipped six times, Montoya said. Police took the suspect into custody. His name wasn't available this morning.

He was being treated for minor injuries at University Medical Center, police said.

I-15, I-215 and the airport tunnel were closed for a short time during the chase.