In a police chase with a twist, a felon pursues a detective

It’s the police who normally do the chasing.

But this week in Kansas City the roles were reversed when a driver pursued an undercover police detective for several minutes until other officers showed up.

Police arrested the driver, who faces federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The incident occurred Wednesday when an Independence police detective in an unmarked vehicle was doing surveillance as part of a federal task force.

According to court documents, the detective noticed a Chevrolet Tahoe drive past several times before it pulled up next to the officer. When the driver reached down, the officer, concerned that he was about to be assaulted, drove off a short distance. The Tahoe followed.

The detective pulled away several more times, but each time the Tahoe followed. He then backed down the street and turned a corner with the Tahoe on his tail. The officer radioed for backup as the Tahoe continued to follow him as he made at least four turns.

When a Kansas City police vehicle arrived and turned on its lights, the Tahoe sped off, almost striking a school bus.

Police didn’t pursue him, but a short time later the Tahoe ran out of gas and police arrested the driver, Damian Rodriguez, 24, of Kansas City.

Inside a backpack in the Tahoe, officers found a 9 mm handgun. Because Rodriguez is a convicted felon, it is illegal for him to possess a firearm.

This story was originally published August 7, 2015 at 11:51 AM with the headline "In a police chase with a twist, a felon pursues a detective."