Driver in van leads cops on chase across Phoenix
Nov 15, 2012, 2:08 PM | Updated: 7:06 pm
A driver in a maroon minivan led officers on a chase through the Valley Thursday afternoon for more than an hour before giving up.
The chase started around 1 p.m. and the van hit speeds of about 80 miles per hour going through Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa and Scottsdale.
The driver, identified as 18-year-old Christian Barron, surrendered in Phoenix, near Seventh and Tonto streets. The van pulled to the side of the road, the person got out and laid down and was quickly surrounded by officers.
According to the helicopter pilot, DPS said the chase started north of the Valley on Interstate 17. On the ground police stopped pursuit almost immediately.
Barron allegedly traveled into Phoenix on the State Route 51 and then headed east on Loop 202. The van exited McKellips Road.
After driving through a neighborhood in Mesa, Barron was back on Country Club Drive, appearing to hit a silver pickup truck while doing so.
After driving north of Mesa and then west, back towards Phoenix, Barron went back on a freeway, this time the Loop 101 going south.
From there Barron exited at Southern Avenue, drove in Tempe neighborhoods and then was on the U.S. 60 going west and to Interstate 10 towards downtown Phoenix.
Barron, who had drugs on him and has outstanding warrants, was arrested along with a 25-year-old woman who was in the vehicle.
Police said Barron will face charges of theft of a means of transportation, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful flight and outstanding warrant.
