Steele Pursuit

Driving home from a bite to eat at the pub, we make our way just shy of the free underpass on Steele Lane. In the distance coming from the off ramp of 101, we can hear sirens blazing like a riot has erupted downtown. As we watch, and wait for the body of these cruisers to break the darkness, one lone car comes barreling out of the off ramp. His speed is much too furious to take the turn, and he instinctively hooks a sharp 180 turn. In his wake of skid marks and smoke a police vehicle abruptly stops in front of the assailant. Stepping out, gun in hand the officer approaches the white Honda Civic. Even across the motor way you can see the look of defeat on the driver's face. Now at the passenger door, the policeman orders the suspect out of the car. In a burst of sheer brilliance the wheel man guns the engine, making a hard turn as he reverses away from the officer. Now in hot pursuit, and with a generous lead, the driver hauls down the street trying to make his get away.

Adrenaline rushing over me, and a feel of excitement, I take the first U turn and attempt to follow. With no cop cars in site, we follow the sound of sirens toward Mendocino. Just two blocks now from that overpass, and our fearless driver flies past us. Several of Santa Rosa's finest trailing behind as they push their vehicles to their maximum to catch the criminal.

Another left turn, and again we are a stone's throw away from the same overpass we so eagerly wanted to pass under. Police cruisers begin blocking the area. The smell of burnt tires, and overheated engines fill the air of the intersection. With no clues left, and dozens of lights to follow, we give up chase and make our way home.