RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC/WFXR) — The Richmond Police Department pursued a person in connection with a burglary who was experiencing a mental health crisis in a low-speed car chase that ended with a 40 minute standoff Saturday afternoon.

The Richmond Department of Emergency Communications received a call from a citizen around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, that they were following a vehicle involved with the burglary of his business. The citizen provided location updates until police were able to fall in behind the person of interest and attempt a traffic stop.

However, the individual refused to stop and the car chase ensued. During the pursuit, the man hit another vehicle at Bells Road and Castlewood Road. The accident caused damage, but no injuries.

Eventually, the individual stopped his vehicle in the right lane of Jefferson Davis Highway and Terminal Avenue. From there, it took 40 minutes for officers to apprehend the man. The police department believes the individual was having a mental health crisis and refused to exit the vehicle.

The man poured a substance on himself and threatened to light himself on fire. According to police, after patient negotiation by Second Precinct officers, the individual was calmed down and he agreed to exit the vehicle.

The man was treated by Richmond Ambulance Authority on the scene and transported to Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center for medical and mental health evaluation.

Charges are pending with regard to burglary and driving offenses.

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