From David Richie:
El Dorado County sheriff's deputies were baffled by a man who led them on a dangerous, high-speed chase through downtown Placerville early Sunday morning.
A deputy spotted Steven Mark Gigliello (left photo) behind the wheel of a black 1995 Nissan Maxima just after midnight near Mosquito Road and Broadway. He ran a stop sign, turned on to Clay Street and then sped up to about 60 mph.
The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but Gigliello sped away. The pursuit continued through Placerville on Main Street and other roads. It ended a few miles away near Cool Water Creek and Cold Springs roads, where deputies put down spike strips to stop the man's car.
A that point Gigliello locked himself inside and deputies had to break in and subdue him before he could be arrested, officials said.
A records check revealed that the suspect had no warrants and he is not on probation or parole. No contraband was found in his car. He was not under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs.
If he had pulled over when the deputy put the lights on him, he would have been facing a traffic ticket for running a stop sign and speeding, authorities said. On Wednesday Gigliello was still in custody facing misdemeanor charges of evading a police officer, reckless driving and resisting arrest.
"He turned something relatively minor into something with major consequences," said Sgt. Bryan Golmitz, Sheriff's Office spokesman.
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