Clown-masked man with chainsaw leads CHP on bizarre chase
By BRIAN DAY
Los Angeles, CA (KTLA) — A man in a clown mask sat on the roof of a car and brandished a prop chainsaw while leading CHP officers on a 40-mile pursuit through Los Angeles County.
Damik A. Disdier of Santa Ana was booked on suspicion of felony evading of police, according to the California Highway Patrol. The agency described him as 40 years old; county booking records listed his age as 36.
The peculiar pursuit began shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday, after witnesses began calling 911 to report a black BMW sedan driving at 2 to 3 mph in the fast lane of northbound Interstate 405 in Westminster, the CHP said in a written statement.
“(Disdier) was reportedly sitting on top of the vehicle holding a chainsaw,” according to the statement. Video footage showed the man was wearing a clown mask and green wig, sitting on the edge of the open sunroof.
Officers quickly caught up with the BMW and tried to pull it over, but the driver fled, officials said.
The driver led officers on a chase at speeds of more than 70 mph. Near Los Angeles International Airport, he transitioned from I-405 to the Marina Freeway (Highway 90) then got onto surface streets and continued toward Venice Beach.
“During this time, the driver climbed onto the roof of the BMW and began gesturing at CHP units before sitting back inside the vehicle,” the statement said.
The car came to a stop at the Ocean Front Walk, where the driver got out and ran onto the beach, authorities said. He was captured as a crowd gathered around.
“A search of the BMW revealed the chainsaw was a toy prop,” the statement said.
A woman who had been riding as a passenger in the BMW was questioned and released, officials added.
A reason for the bizarre behavior and pursuit was unclear.
Disdier’s bail was set at $75,000 pending his initial court appearance, booking records showed.