Man arrested after alleged vehicle theft near Arizona border
National park rangers chased an Ohio man who allegedly stole a government vehicle Thursday morning near the Arizona border and fled on U.S. Highway 93.
About 9:50 a.m., a Lake Mead National Recreation Area employee reported that a man stole the vehicle near Meadview, close to the Nevada border.
According to a news release:
Rangers and officials with the Arizona Department of Public Safety attempted to stop the man, who fled onto U.S. 93 and drove off the highway onto Temple Bar Road. He then turned back toward the highway and ran over officials’ spike strips, puncturing the vehicle’s tires.
Despite the punctured tires, the man continued driving north on U.S. 93 against traffic in the southbound lanes. The highway was closed during the car chase.
At one point, the man reached at least 85 mph, park spokeswoman Christie Vanover said.
About 11:40 a.m., the man drove off the road in Arizona and ran from officers. He was taken into custody in Arizona about 1:30 p.m., Vanover said. She said it was unclear Thursday evening what charges he will face there.
The National Park Service’s investigative service branch and the Arizona Department of Public Services were investigating Thursday, the news release said.
Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. follow @k_newberg on Twitter.
