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[SIZE=14pt]Biker's fame put the CHP on notice[/SIZE]
Officer called helicopter for extra help in tracking suspect during chase.
By Tim Eberly / The Fresno Bee
(Updated Saturday, November 12, 2005, 5:31 AM)
Matt Halvorson had never been in a chase with the biker.
But the California Highway Patrol officer had done his homework, and knew what to do — he called for a helicopter.
"I know his history," said Halvorson, 34. "The only way to catch this guy, and do it safely, is with the helicopter."
Good call. When Halvorson tried to pull the motorcyclist over near River Park, the man took off like a rocket, the CHP reported.
But this pursuit didn't end like the others. This time, the CHP arrested the man it believes has toyed with authorities during about a half-dozen dangerous high-speed chases throughout city streets and freeways in Fresno and Clovis since the spring — and had never been caught.
The suspect, 22-year-old Richard A. Lindsey of Fresno, was caught Nov. 4 after a 25-minute chase that ended when he blew a tire, sprinted into a downtown Fresno hospital and was nabbed by hospital security guards on the 10th floor, according to the CHP.
"He's managed to evade us and elude capture until Friday night," Sgt. Kevin Pierce said. "He's been willing to evade us [by doing] whatever it takes. Usually, it ends up being he has a faster motorcycle than what we're able to catch."
Lindsey, who also goes by Richard Lindsey-Harrison, was booked into the Fresno County Jail on felony charges of evading and assault with a deadly weapon. He also had an outstanding warrant.
He could not be reached for comment.
Until recently, very little was known about the notorious bike rider. He drove a red motorbike, later identified as a 2002 Kawasaki 600, and pushed it as fast as 150 mph while running stop signs and red lights. He also wore a black jacket with red sleeves and a red-and-black helmet, and hung out in north Fresno and Clovis, the CHP reported.
Halvorson, a 6 1/2-year veteran, got a tip from someone who led him to another person who identified the reckless motorcyclist as Lindsey, a Lowe's home improvement store employee.
While working routine traffic enforcement in River Park on Nov. 4, Halvorson spotted Lindsey at 6:11 p.m. with four or five other bikers outside the In-N-Out fast-food restaurant at Blackstone and Nees avenues. Halvorson kept an eye on Lindsey while he waited for the helicopter crew to get in place.
Then, about 7:10 p.m., Lindsey and other bikers left the parking lot and went north on Friant Road. Halvorson tried to pull him over for allegedly not having a license plate on the Kawasaki. As expected, the race was on.
"The minute the [police] lights went on, he took off," the officer said. "He accelerates easily to 100-plus. That bike's real quick."
Reaching speeds greater than 100 mph, the chase went through north Fresno to Clovis and onto the cities' freeways. While driving from Freeway168 to Freeway 180, the Kawasaki got a flat tire. Yet he continued to Freeway 41 and went south to a downtown exit, Halvorson said.
Hovering overhead, the police helicopter crew watched as Lindsey made a curious move. He drove to Community Medical Center-Fresno and ran inside. CHP officers believe Lindsey thought the hospital would be a good place to disappear by blending in. In an interview after his arrest, Lindsey would only say that sneaking into the hospital was "not a bad idea," Halvorson said.
Halvorson and other officers arrived soon after, and the hospital was locked down. Security guards followed Lindsey to the 10th floor, where he ditched his jacket and helmet in a bathroom stall, Halvorson said. The guards confronted him as he left the restroom.
Moments later, Halvorson and other officers stepped off the elevator and saw Lindsey.
"He was just standing there," Halvorson said. "He had three security guards standing there with him. He had nowhere to go."
Under interrogation, Lindsey didn't admit to being the unidentified biker who had become well-known around the CHP office and locker room. He laid the blame on an acquaintance who he claimed had borrowed his bike, but wouldn't identify the person.
CHP authorities, however, believe Lindsey is their man. And Halvorson said he hopes Lindsey's arrest sends others the message that, although it took some time, the authorities eventually caught up to him.
Officer called helicopter for extra help in tracking suspect during chase.
By Tim Eberly / The Fresno Bee
(Updated Saturday, November 12, 2005, 5:31 AM)
Matt Halvorson had never been in a chase with the biker.
But the California Highway Patrol officer had done his homework, and knew what to do — he called for a helicopter.
"I know his history," said Halvorson, 34. "The only way to catch this guy, and do it safely, is with the helicopter."
Good call. When Halvorson tried to pull the motorcyclist over near River Park, the man took off like a rocket, the CHP reported.
But this pursuit didn't end like the others. This time, the CHP arrested the man it believes has toyed with authorities during about a half-dozen dangerous high-speed chases throughout city streets and freeways in Fresno and Clovis since the spring — and had never been caught.
The suspect, 22-year-old Richard A. Lindsey of Fresno, was caught Nov. 4 after a 25-minute chase that ended when he blew a tire, sprinted into a downtown Fresno hospital and was nabbed by hospital security guards on the 10th floor, according to the CHP.
"He's managed to evade us and elude capture until Friday night," Sgt. Kevin Pierce said. "He's been willing to evade us [by doing] whatever it takes. Usually, it ends up being he has a faster motorcycle than what we're able to catch."
Lindsey, who also goes by Richard Lindsey-Harrison, was booked into the Fresno County Jail on felony charges of evading and assault with a deadly weapon. He also had an outstanding warrant.
He could not be reached for comment.
Until recently, very little was known about the notorious bike rider. He drove a red motorbike, later identified as a 2002 Kawasaki 600, and pushed it as fast as 150 mph while running stop signs and red lights. He also wore a black jacket with red sleeves and a red-and-black helmet, and hung out in north Fresno and Clovis, the CHP reported.
Halvorson, a 6 1/2-year veteran, got a tip from someone who led him to another person who identified the reckless motorcyclist as Lindsey, a Lowe's home improvement store employee.
While working routine traffic enforcement in River Park on Nov. 4, Halvorson spotted Lindsey at 6:11 p.m. with four or five other bikers outside the In-N-Out fast-food restaurant at Blackstone and Nees avenues. Halvorson kept an eye on Lindsey while he waited for the helicopter crew to get in place.
Then, about 7:10 p.m., Lindsey and other bikers left the parking lot and went north on Friant Road. Halvorson tried to pull him over for allegedly not having a license plate on the Kawasaki. As expected, the race was on.
"The minute the [police] lights went on, he took off," the officer said. "He accelerates easily to 100-plus. That bike's real quick."
Reaching speeds greater than 100 mph, the chase went through north Fresno to Clovis and onto the cities' freeways. While driving from Freeway168 to Freeway 180, the Kawasaki got a flat tire. Yet he continued to Freeway 41 and went south to a downtown exit, Halvorson said.
Hovering overhead, the police helicopter crew watched as Lindsey made a curious move. He drove to Community Medical Center-Fresno and ran inside. CHP officers believe Lindsey thought the hospital would be a good place to disappear by blending in. In an interview after his arrest, Lindsey would only say that sneaking into the hospital was "not a bad idea," Halvorson said.
Halvorson and other officers arrived soon after, and the hospital was locked down. Security guards followed Lindsey to the 10th floor, where he ditched his jacket and helmet in a bathroom stall, Halvorson said. The guards confronted him as he left the restroom.
Moments later, Halvorson and other officers stepped off the elevator and saw Lindsey.
"He was just standing there," Halvorson said. "He had three security guards standing there with him. He had nowhere to go."
Under interrogation, Lindsey didn't admit to being the unidentified biker who had become well-known around the CHP office and locker room. He laid the blame on an acquaintance who he claimed had borrowed his bike, but wouldn't identify the person.
CHP authorities, however, believe Lindsey is their man. And Halvorson said he hopes Lindsey's arrest sends others the message that, although it took some time, the authorities eventually caught up to him.
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