Driver Arrested After ‘Reckless’ Display in Front of Pasadena City Hall, Brief Pursuit

A man led police on a short pursuit after spinning “donuts” in his car in front of Pasadena City Hall as the area was crowded with visitors on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

The unusual incident unfolded just before 4 p.m. in front of City Hall, in the area of Garfield Avenue and Holly Street, Pasadena police Lt. Pete Hettema said.

Police received phone calls reporting the “reckless driver,” who was skidding in circles as the area was packed with children and at least two wedding parties, Hettema said. The stunts were still ongoing when officers responded from the nearby police station.

The driver fled from police and headed north on Garfield Avenue, but came to a stop several blocks away and was taken into custody, according to Hettema.

James Andrew Delaney, 54, of Sylmar was booked on suspicion of felony evading of police, officials said. A motive for the alleged dangerous display was not clear.

Bail was set at $75,000 pending his initial appearance in the Pasadena branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court, scheduled Wednesday, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

We tried leaving the area immediately and the crazy guy kept driving around, avoiding the cops! pic.twitter.com/6aCvupCEWq

— ten kodd (@queen_z_i) September 27, 2020