THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 21, 1995 TAG: 9502210310
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
A police chase that wound through Norfolk and Virginia Beach Monday night for about half an hour ended in Virginia Beach with the arrest of a driver suspected of drug charges, authorities said.
A Norfolk police sergeant was injured when the suspect's pickup collided with the officer's cruiser in the 8500 block of Granby St., officials said. The sergeant, whose name was not available, was taken to a Norfolk hospital. His injuries were minor, police said.
The chase began in Norfolk at 9 p.m. at Tidewater Drive and Lindenwood Avenue when an officer tried to stop a man driving a Chevrolet pickup for a suspected drug violation, Norfolk police spokesman Larry Hill said. The pickup fled with its lights out, Hill said.
The chase turned onto Granby Street and headed into Ocean View. The suspect turned onto Ocean View Avenue and sped into Virginia Beach on Shore Drive.
The pursuing officers from Norfolk and Virginia Beach followed the suspect's pickup on an erratic loop along Independence Boulevard, Haygood Road, Wesleyan Drive, Diamond Springs Road, Northampton Boulevard and back to Independence Boulevard and Shore Drive.
The chase ended about 9:30 p.m. in a shopping center parking lot near the intersection of Great Neck and First Colonial roads.
A witness said the suspect's pickup clipped a utility pole during the chase.
At 9:21, a Virginia Beach police helicopter pilot spotted the fleeing pickup and pinpointed the vehicle with its powerful search light.
Police said the pursuit speeds ranged between 55 and 65 mph, mostly on 45- and 55-mph roads. Traffic was light, and police reported no damage to other vehicles.
The suspect has been identified as Martin E. Spry, 28, of the 1600 block of Stephens Road in Virginia Beach. He has been charged with felony hit-and-run and evading police.
KEYWORDS: POLICE CHASE ACCIDENT ARREST by CNB