7 High Speed Police Chases That End the Hard Way
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖A USPS truck carjacker was apprehended after being hit by pepper balls and attempting to use an 8-inch knife.
- ❖A Mazda 3 driver engaged in multiple brake checks, U-turns, and PIT maneuvers, resulting in five damaged police vehicles and discovery of warrants, weed, and a bomb.
- ❖A parolee stopped on I-75 claimed he fled because he feared officers would kill him, despite having weed on him.
- ❖A suspect initially stopped for public urination fled on foot, leading to the discovery of felony drugs and a bench warrant.
- ❖Two drag racing vehicles led to a dual pursuit; one driver used a license plate blackout device and was pursued for 50 minutes with air support before crashing.
- ❖During a 30-minute, 110 mph chase, passengers in a suspected stolen vehicle put their hands out to surrender while the driver continued, eventually giving a 'community lecture' upon arrest.
- ❖The driver in the 30-minute chase later claimed his father told him to switch seats and drive to evade an earlier police pursuit.
Insights
1Escalation of Charges for Postal Service Involvement
A suspect who carjacked a US Postal Service truck in Centerville, Utah, faced federal charges including carjacking, mail theft, and theft of government property, demonstrating the severe legal consequences when federal agencies are involved.
Wilbur Castellanos Hernandez, 32, of Salt Lake City, faced federal crimes for carjacking a USPS truck, mail theft, and theft of government property.
2Tactical Challenges and Suspect Defiance in Pursuits
An Arkansas State trooper pursued a Mazda 3 driver exceeding 100 mph. The driver repeatedly brake-checked the trooper, made U-turns, hit spike strips, and was subjected to three PIT maneuvers before crashing and fleeing on foot. The chase resulted in five damaged police vehicles and the discovery of warrants, marijuana, and a bomb in the suspect's car.
The Mazda 3 driver brake-checked the trooper, made a U-turn, hit spike strips, was pitted three times, and caused damage to five police vehicles. The driver had warrants, weed, and a bomb.
3Advanced Evasion Tactics and Law Enforcement Response
During a drag racing incident, one suspect in a Dodge Charger Hellcat used a 'blackout' switch to obscure his license plate from police. This necessitated a prolonged 50-minute high-speed pursuit (up to 120 mph) involving air support and multiple agencies to track and apprehend the driver, Nicholas Childs.
The Dodge Charger Hellcat driver 'hit a switch and completely blacked out his license plate.' Corporal Kenny Fitz Simmons pursued the vehicle for about 50 minutes with air support, reaching speeds of 120 mph.
4Suspect Behavior: Defiance, Denial, and Public Performance
In a 30-minute, 110 mph chase involving a suspected stolen vehicle, passengers visibly signaled surrender by putting their hands out the windows, yet the driver continued. Upon eventual apprehension, the driver denied wrongdoing, offered a 'community lecture' to the cameras, and later claimed his father instructed him to drive to help him escape an earlier chase.
Passengers in the back seat put their hands out the window, 'suggesting that they're ready to give up, but apparently not the driver.' The driver, Dylan, gave 'community lectures' and stated, 'y'all keep y'all's heads up and stay out of trouble.' He later claimed his dad told him to 'switch seats and drive so they can chase me, not him' earlier that day.
Lessons
- Law enforcement agencies should prioritize inter-agency communication and channel management during multi-jurisdictional pursuits to ensure critical information is shared effectively and avoid radio congestion.
- Officers should maintain composure and adhere to tactical protocols, even when suspects exhibit defiance or make light of serious situations, to ensure safe and lawful apprehension.
- Supervisors must provide clear authorization for high-risk maneuvers like PITs, considering public safety and the availability of alternative tactics like spike strips or air support, especially in prolonged chases.
Quotes
"We've said this before, don't mess with the mail. That's it. You know, coming at you, you get in big, big trouble."
"I'm scared. I think y'all was trying to kill me. Car ain't stolen. Okay, but driving like that? Back up. I ain't got nothing. When you drive like that, you're putting yourself at risk to kill yourself and others."
"As soon as I lift him up, he hit a switch and completely blacked out his license plate."
"This guy took us on this long chase. He says that it's not because he has any warrants. He doesn't have anything in the vehicle or anything. He's just saying that he had a bad day today and he didn't want to stop."
"I didn't want to stop because I was helping out earlier today. ... This is my first adult offense like this. I have a lot going on, but but to the youth at home, y'all keep y'all's heads up and stay out of trouble."
"It was a little fun while we had at it, man. Had the whole damn Richmond County out here chasing my ass for damn near good ass time. But it's not worth it, man. Anybody home? That ain't worth it, man. I'm going down, man."
Q&A
Recent Questions
Related Episodes
15 Wildest Moments From On Patrol: Live Caught On Camera
"Witness the unpredictable and dangerous realities of law enforcement through a compilation of intense police pursuits, bizarre roadside encounters, and dramatic arrests from "On Patrol: Live.""
Dumbest Teens Ever Laugh at Attempted Murder Charges | Isabelle Valdez & Lois Lippert
"Two teenage girls, Isabelle Valdez and Lois Liippard, are apprehended for an attempted murder plot, exhibiting a shocking lack of remorse and treating their arrest as a 'bonding experience' captured on police bodycam footage."
12 Absolutely Wild Police Encounters Caught On Camera
"Witness a raw compilation of twelve intense police encounters, showcasing everything from public intoxication and high-speed chases to drug busts and weapon seizures, all captured on bodycam."
Major Revelations in Savannah Guthrie Interview, and Possible Sheridan Gorman Murder Gang Connection
"This episode dissects new, chilling details from Savannah Guthrie's mother's abduction case and explores the alleged gang ties and political cover-up surrounding the murder of Sheridan Gorman by an illegal immigrant in Chicago."