Driver Leads 75-Mile, Pacoima-to-Pacoima Chase

A Glendale man has been booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer after leading police on a high-speed, 75-mile chase that ended five blocks from where it began when he surrendered in front of a police station in Pacoima.

Gary Behar, 24, driving a 1981 Nissan SX, at times reached speeds of 100 m.p.h. and led officers from Pacoima to Saugus and back in about 45 minutes Friday night, police said Saturday.

The chase began about 9:30 p.m. when officers tried to stop Behar for a traffic violation near Osborne and Chanute streets, Los Angeles Police Sgt. Louis Page said. After reaching Saugus, Behar headed east toward the Kagel Canyon area, Page said.

Behar was traveling along Little Tujunga Road when he made a U-turn and started driving downhill, Page said. An officer pursuing Behar, alerted by a police helicopter that Behar had turned around, started to make a U-turn when his patrol car stalled, Page said.

The officer got out, fearing his car might be hit. Behar tried to run him over, but the officer leaped to safety, Page said. Behar continued south on Little Tujunga Road as officers in other patrol cars shot at the Nissan, he said.

Page said the chase ended when Behar drove to Foothill Division police station on Osborne Street and surrendered, five blocks west of where the chase began.

Behar was booked on one count of assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer for bearing down on the officer, police said. He was released that night on $8,000 bail, Page said.