Suspect denies charges in car chase

CIVIC CENTER -- A Glendale parolee pleaded not guilty Tuesday in

Burbank Municipal Court to charges stemming from a high-speed chase in

which he allegedly led police through three communities in a stolen car.

Christopher Kolody, 27, is facing four felony charges: evading a

police officer, battery on a police officer, obstructing a police officer

and grand theft auto, court officials said.

The chase began Saturday at 4:03 a.m. in the 3700 block of Victory

Boulevard when Burbank police spotted Kolody driving a 1993 white Ford

Aerostar with a rear license plate that belonged to another van, said

Burbank Police Lt. Larry Koch.

When the officers tried to stop Kolody, he quickly turned left and

accelerated down an alley, Koch said. The van turned onto Vineland Avenue

in North Hollywood and a high-speed pursuit ensued, he said.

“He was not stopping, slowing or yielding,” Koch said. “He ran several

red lights -- going more than 90 mph on Vineland Avenue -- and swerved

around vehicles.”

Koch said Kolody -- who is on parole for a previous felony grand theft

auto -- was lucky he did not cause any accidents during the pursuit.

Kolody attempted to run from the pursuing officers when the Ford spun out

near the intersection of Stagg Street and Ensign Avenue in Sun Valley,

Koch said.

Burbank officers tackled the suspect after he jumped over a fence.

The Aerostar was reported stolen Friday in the west San Fernando

Valley, police said.

Kolody was being held Tuesday in a county jail on $85,000 bail, court

officials said. He is scheduled to return to court Dec. 16 for a

preliminary hearing.