Glendale police nab man after motorcycle chase

A motorcyclist was arrested Saturday night after allegedly leading police on a high-speed pursuit on city streets that ended when he crashed and was thrown from his bike.

Hovhannes Markarian, 23 of North Hollywood, was taken into custody about 10:47 p.m. at North Central Avenue and Goode Avenue on suspicion of reckless driving when he was evading a police officer, according to Glendale police reports.

The officer tried to pull over Markarian after he drove through a red light on Brand Boulevard, police said.

But Markarian continued driving at speeds in excess of 60 mph, police said.

Markarian tried to stop at Goode and Central, but he lost control of his motorcycle and fell off, police said. The motorcycle slid and spun into the intersection.

Police said Markarian tried to run away from the scene but stumbled. Markarian, who police said didn’t have a valid license to ride a motorcycle, was stopped and arrested.

-- Veronica Rocha, Times Community News

Follow Veronica on Google+ and Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA