Shotgun-wielding driver leads police on high-speed chase

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005 | 10:54 a.m.

A 23-year-old North Las Vegas man was arrested after pointing a shotgun at people, shooting at police then leading officers on a high-speed chase that ended when a patrol car rammed his pickup truck.

"We don't know what triggered the event," North Las Vegas Police spokesman Tim Bedwell said Monday night near Rainbow Boulevard and Craig Road where Metro Police and North Las Vegas officers were investigating the incident.

Several people phoned police shortly before 3 p.m. and said a man was pointing a shotgun at them near Valley Drive and Washburn Road, Bedwell said.

As officers approached the man's pickup truck, he leaned out of the truck's window and fired once at police; no one was injured, Bedwell said.

Then the pickup truck sped away, turning southbound on Craig and into a residential area at Quail Hollow where a North Las Vegas Police officer rammed the man's truck, Bedwell said.

"Police decided to ram his car after a short standoff," Bedwell said.

Officers heard the man make some comments that led them to believe he was suicidal, Bedwell said.

One North Las Vegas officer, involved in stopping the pickup truck, injured a leg, Bedwell said.

"He'll be checked at a hospital, but the injury does not appear to be too serious," Bedwell said.

Per police policy, the officer who stopped the man has been placed on administrative leave and his name will be released in 48 hours.

Marcus Thomas was arrested on three felony charges: attempted murder of a police officer, firing from a vehicle and evading a police officer, Bedwell said.

In addition, he was charged with pointing a gun at a citizen.

Thomas did not have a police record prior to Monday's incident, Bedwell said.

Officers acted with "commendable restraint" in dealing with the man, Bedwell said.

Police took Thomas to the North Las Vegas Jail, Bedwell said.

Children rode bicycles along the sidewalk on Craig, curious as officers placed cones in the road, outlining skid marks and other evidence on the pavement.

Nathan Island said he had finished applying for a job at a Jack in the Box at Tenaya Way and Craig and was waiting for a CAT bus when he saw police cars coming from the north and the south on Craig.

"There were at least 17 officers and the cops had their guns drawn," Island said.

An officer told Island to leave the area.

"Until this is all done and the buses start running again, I'm stuck here," Island said.