NEW ORLEANS - An NOPD sergeant was arrested and
suspended without pay Thursday after he allegedly led Causeway Police on a
high-speed chase from the bridge all the way to Covington.
Sgt. Gary Calico turned himself to authorities in
St. Tammany Parish at about 7 p.m.
Calico was off-duty at the time of the alleged
incident and in his personal vehicle. Causeway General Manager Carlton
Dufrechou said that police tried to stop Calico Wednesday at about 11:30 p.m.
after receiving a complaint that he was driving recklessly. Dufrechou said when
Calico didn't pull over, a chase began.
"At some point, speeds were in excess of 80
mph," Dufrechou said. "The vehicle almost hit a State Police unit and
one of our units. He did get away from our officers, went into a gated
community of Covington and then the gate closed."
Dufrechou said officers eventually got to the
house, but someone else answered the door and told them Calico wasn't home.
Police impounded the vehicle and obtained an arrest
warrant.
Calico was booked with aggravated flight, reckless
operation, improper lane use, speeding and running a red light.
Calico was arrested on similar charges in 2007
after another high-speed chase on the Causeway Bridge. His attorney said that
because he was a first-time offender, he was placed into a diversionary program
and the charges were dismissed. He was fired from the NOPD but later
reinstated.
Calico was most recently assigned to the Sixth
District's narcotics task force. He is a 22-year veteran of the NOPD