A suspected motorcycle thief is in custody after leading police on a relatively low-speed chase around the Valley Tuesday afternoon.
Robert W. Waits, 35, is facing one count of theft of means of transportation, unlawful flight and altering a vehicle identification number.
Phoenix police spent more than an hour following Waits from the air with no units following him on the ground. At one point, police said they had no intention of pursuing Waits even requesting the news media to stay away.
Waits was cautious--albeit courteous--during the pursuit often slowing down at intersections until cars passed through and stopping at red lights before making a turn.
Air15 followed Waits north on Interstate 17 into Anthem where he exited the freeway and made his way through residential streets in Cave Creek and then headed south into Phoenix.
Waits failed to stop for police in Mesa which is where the chase initiated, said police.
Air15 showed Waits ditch the bike at the Casa del Pueblo housing complex near 19th and Northern Avenue where officers took him into custody.
Police say the motorcycle was stolen out of Mesa and had a stolen license plate.
