Suspected Drunk Leads Police on Slow, Circular Chase

A driver believed to be impaired led police on a slow- speed 24-minute pursuit in the Encino area this morning before stopping and surrendering, police said.

The incident began at 12:57 a.m. when officers noticed the man in his mid to late 20s driving erratically in the vicinity of Ventura Boulevard and Woodley Avenue and initiated the pursuit, said Officer Brian McDonald of the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley Station.

“He drove in circles down streets and alleys,” McDonald said.

The suspect stopped the car in the 17300 block of Oak View Drive but initially would not exit, he said, adding that officers eventually talked him out and took him into custody.

The suspect was undergoing drug and alcohol evaluation early this morning and was expected to be booked on suspicion of felony evading, McDonald said.

• City News Service