Shaq chases down alleged hit-and-run driver

MIAMI (AP) _ Shaquille O'Neal put his police skills to use early today. <br/><br/>O'Neal, the Miami Heat's All-Star center and a reserve officer with the Miami Beach Police Department, followed

Monday, January 29th 2007, 7:03 am

By: News On 6

MIAMI (AP) _ Shaquille O'Neal put his police skills to use early today.

O'Neal, the Miami Heat's All-Star center and a reserve officer with the Miami Beach Police Department, followed a driver who allegedly crashed into his Cadillac Escalade and tried to flee the scene.

O'Neal and bodyguard Jerome Crawford followed the driver for about five minutes. When the driver stopped near a gas station, O-Neal approached the car and summoned a nearby police officer.

The incident happened around 4 am, shortly after the Heat got home from a game in Chicago.

O'Neal, through the team, said that he followed proper police protocol during the chase, including pursuing at a safe distance and speed. He contacted police officers along the way.