North Hollywood Man Charged in Wild Valley Police Chase

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — A North Hollywood man was charged Friday with leading police on a lengthy pursuit through the San Fernando Valley this week.

Samuel Boyadzhyan, 29, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of fleeing a peace officer's motor vehicle while driving recklessly and one misdemeanor count each of reckless driving on a highway, engaging in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway, engaging in a motor vehicle exhibition of speed on a highway and resisting a peace officer.

Boyadzhyan allegedly pulled up next to a Los Angeles Police Department patrol car on Wednesday, yelled obscenities at the officers and claimed to be armed, according to Deputy District Attorney Ranna Jahanshahi.

Boyadzhyan allegedly led officers on a pursuit through North Hollywood, Burbank and other areas in the San Fernando Valley before the chase ended at Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Sherman Way, the prosecutor said.

Boyadzhyan has remained jailed in lieu of $75,000 bail since his arrest late Wednesday morning following the roughly 75-minute chase.

He is due back in a Van Nuys courtroom Feb. 24 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for the case against him to proceed to trial.

If convicted as charged, Boyadzhyan could face up to three years in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

City News Service; Photo: Shuuterstock