A Burbank man led police on a brief chase though residential streets before fleeing on foot and fighting with police officers early Monday morning.
The incident began about 3:15 a.m. September 10, when officers observes the driver of a 1988 Honda Prelude commit a traffic violation. When they attempted to pull the driver over, he drove through residential street at 35-50 mph, going through several stop signs and two red lights at intersections. The driver suddenly stopped his car in a driveway at a home in the 2100 block of Buena Vista St., and fled from the officers, running towards the residence.
Officers caught up with the suspect as he attempted to climb over a wrought iron fence. He failed to comply with the officers’ commands, and began kicking at them in an attempt to break free of their grasp. His foot became caught in the fence during the scuffle, and he sustained a broken right ankle. The suspect was transported to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center and treated for his injury.
A narcotics pipe was found on the man, and a search of his car turned up what police believe to be methamphetamine. The suspect, Bernard Bartkiewicz, 29, of Burbank, was placed under arrest for felony evading, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest. He was booked into the Burbank Jail, with bail set at $75,000. He is due to appear in court on September 12.
