Lakewood Police Releases Dash-Cam Video from High-Speed Chase

The dash-cam video of a high-speed, two-county chase on Dec. 29 was released recently by the Lakewood Police Department.

And the department is defending its policy that allows officers in pursuit to make the decision to continue a chase. In this case, speeds reportedly reached nearly 90 mph.

Nicholas Petti, 41, who was suspected of injuring an elderly woman while taking her purse in Willowick earlier in the day, was spotted in his pickup truck near the intersection of Clifton Avenue and 117th Street in Lakewood early that evening. Lakewood police officers, responding to a “be on the lookout” alert, attempted to stop Petti’s truck.

He led them on a high-speed — and at times, dangerous — chase through two counties.

When deciding whether to pursue a suspect, the issues that are weighed are “safety and the need to catch whoever is being chased,” said Sgt. Edward Favre, who was not working that evening. “The superior in the station makes the call. Or the officer makes the call.”

He added that there is no “hard-and-fast” speed that determines a chase should be called off, noting that every situation is different.

On the video, Petti is seen driving through red lights and weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds.

The chase — which began at around 5:30 p.m. — quickly led Lakewood police into Cleveland. At E. 305 Street in Euclid, Lakewood police allowed officers from other cities to take the lead, and headed back to Lakewood.

“Stop sticks” were used to stop Petti’s truck in Willoughby around 6:12 p.m., when the chase came to an end.

Petti was charged with obstructing police, aggravated robbery, possession of crack cocaine and robbery.

He is being held in the Lake County jail.