Tourist target of police car chase in Naha
Police arrested a 47-year-old tourist from mainland Japan after a 10-minute car chase by multiple patrol cars in Kumoji, Naha City, on Tuesday.
According to Naha Police, Yoshihiro Shimizu was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police performing official duties. Shimizu has admitted to the charge.
Naha Police reportedly received an emergency call a little after midnight on Tuesday reporting a car driving in a zigzag line on a street in central Naha. A police patrol found the car about 30 minutes later and stopped it, but when an officer asked Shimizu to accompany them to the police station, he drove away. With the patrol car in pursuit, Shimizu tried to shake the police by driving on streets in Kumoji for about ten minutes, while several other patrol cars joined in the chase. Shimizu finally hit a police car and had to stop because his car broke down.
A subsequent breathalyzer test showed no alcohol in Shimizu’s breath, but police suspect that he was under influence of stimulant dugs. Results of further tests are pending.