NOPD sergeant suspended, arrested after Causeway chase



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