By Lookout Staff

September 21, 2023 -- A man recklessly driving a stolen vehicle led police on a late-night chase Wednesday that ended with his arrest at the Santa Monica Pier, according to police.

The incident began at around 11:20 p.m. when officers saw a vehicle run a red light near the 700 block of Montana Avenue, police said.

Nehemias Rivera-Menjivar (Courtesy SMPD)

The driver failed to yield to the officers and "committed additional traffic violations while driving recklessly for several blocks before colliding with a vehicle at 7th and Wilshire Boulevard," police said." The driver failed to stop after the collision, continuing to drive without regard to public safety down the Pier ramp and into the Newcomb Lot," said Lt. Erika Aklufi, the Police apartment spokesperson. The pursuit ended "when the driver was boxed in near the Carousel building on the Pier," Aklufi said.

After the driver exited the vehicle and tried to flee, an officer deployed a taser but it had no effect, Aklufi said. After continued demands, the suspect was taken into custody.

The suspect -- later identified as Nehemias Rivera-Menjivar, 21, of Wilmington, California -- was booked for multiple violations.

They include felony hit and run, reckless driving, felony evading police, felony DUI for marijuana and resisting and obstructing arrest.

During the subsequent investigation, police determined that the vehicle driven by Rivera-Menjivar had been stolen from an address in Long Beach, Aklufi said.

Anyone with information about the incident should email Sergeant Krueger at nick.krueger@santamonica.gov or call the Watch Commander 24 hours at 310-458-8427.