A helicopter has helped the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stage a dramatic, broad daylight arrest.
man suspected of choking a woman at a bus stop
The police aircraft helped LVMPD officers close in on a man suspected of choking a woman at a bus stop in the southwest valley. Multiple officers were required to use force to arrest the suspect. The LVMPD took to X on Monday with footage of what it termed “an incredibly dangerous situation:”
According to the LVMPD, while the suspect initially gave police the slip, the helicopter spotted the fugitive trying to hide behind a bridge. His cover blown, the alleged strangler fled again, this time onto the freeway.
The LVMPD said officers resumed chase, eventually arresting the man “with help from citizens who stopped traffic to protect everyone involved.”
Besides the alleged choked woman and freeway chaos, the police’s description of an “incredibly dangerous” situation possibly also refers to the dangers of a helicopter pursuit in busy Vegas airspace.
Last month, the Federal Aviation Authority revealed its probe into helicopter safety identified a significant collision risk of air tour helicopters with airplanes in Vegas. Fortunately, the FAA said it moved fast to change the flying rules for Harry Reid International Airport, resulting in a 30% drop in “collision alerts” for Sin City flights.
