Driver Held After High-Speed Pursuit

Simi Valley police officers used a nonlethal weapon to subdue a 19-year-old man after a late-night, high-speed pursuit, officials said Monday.

Adem Rexhapi of Simi Valley was booked on suspicion of felony evading and resisting arrest, and possession of contraband, said Lt. Neal Rein.

No further information was released on the contraband charge.

Police officers spotted Rexhapi’s Chevrolet Suburban driving at a high rate of speed near Royal Avenue and Madera Road shortly before midnight Sunday.

He finally pulled over near Heywood Street and Sycamore Drive.

Rexhapi refused officers’ commands, and at one point went to a kneeling position and began to reach into his jacket.

That’s when one officer used the special weapon--firing a 2 1/2-ounce dense plastic projectile that struck Rexhapi in the chest--allowing police to handcuff him.

Simi Valley officers have used the weapons successfully three times since field supervisors began carrying them about a year ago, Rein said.

Rexhapi was treated at Simi Valley Hospital for a bruise and then was booked at Ventura County Jail.

There were no traffic collisions or injuries to officers during the incident.