Tulsa Police Release Dash Cam Video Of Wild Chase, Arrest

The Tulsa Police Department just released new video of a high-speed chase through the heart of Tulsa.

Police say it started as a traffic stop, but quickly escalated – taking police on a wild ride until the suspect, Justin Valentin, slammed into a light pole.

They say Valentin also punched an officer and tried to bite him.

“The adrenaline is really high.  The officer’s thinking this person’s dangerous, this person’s going to hurt somebody,” said Officer Jeanne MacKenzie, describing the tense moments depicted in the video.

Police say an officer pulled Valentin over on the night of August 13th.  Dash cam video captures an officer talking with Valentin.

8/14/2018 Related Story:  Tulsa Man Tries To Bite Officer During Arrest

Police say when the officer asked him to get out of his car and place his keys on the dashboard, Valentin takes off, driving up and over a small, grassy hill and onto the road, leading police on a chase, even going the wrong way down a one-way street.

“He is eluding us,” said Officer MacKenzie.  “He doesn’t stop for us.”

About two minutes later, Valentin is seen on dash cam footage slamming into a traffic pole and then running to a gas station before police take him down, some with their tasers drawn.

“We have K9, we have helicopters, we find most people that run from us,” said Officer MacKenzie.  “You’re just making it worse than it needs to be.”

Valentin, a felon and convicted sex offender, remains in the Tulsa County Jail on multiple complaints, including assault and battery on a police officer and eluding police.