Police: Man drove 3 miles in reverse

GLENDALE — The 49-year-old driver of a Mazda sedan could face reckless driving charges after police caught him doing 30 mph in Central Glendale — in reverse.

An off-duty Glendale police spotted Gurgen Gukasyan about 6 a.m. Saturday driving in reverse on North Glendale Avenue at about 30 mph for more than three miles, Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

Gukasyan was also the driver who allegedly caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damage after driving his car up onto Verdugo Park in December before parking and blaring his music.

No injuries were reported in the latest incident.

“This is just sheer disregard for public safety,” Lorenz said.

When the off-duty officer spotted the 1993 Mazda backing down North Glendale Avenue, Gukasyan had his right arm on the passenger seat with his head turned, looking over his shoulder as he drove in reverse, according to police reports.

Gukasyan then turned onto westbound Monterey Road and drove north on Geneva Street to West Glenoaks Boulevard, swerving between the lanes, according to police reports.

He eventually stopped in the 1100 block of Graynold Avenue, where he parked and got out.

Gukasyan was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving, and he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Lorenz said.

Gukasyan reportedly told police he was headed to a friend’s home on Graynold Avenue.

“It appears that he did want to take that vehicle and have some fun with it,” Lorenz said.

Charges had not been filed against Gukasyan as of Monday afternoon, said Sandi Gibbons, a Los Angeles County district attorney’s office spokeswoman.

He was released from police custody on Saturday after posting $5,000 bail, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department records.

Gukasyan was also arrested Dec. 20 after he drove his car onto Verdugo Park on Cañada Boulevard, causing deep tire marks in the grass for two weeks, according to police reports. City officials at the time estimated the damage at more than $4,000.