Expired inspection sticker causes Va. sheriff to chase mayor
PORTSMOUTH , Va. — A Virginia mayor with an expired car inspection sticker led a sheriff on a wild car chase through the streets of Portsmouth, Va., on Tuesday night.
Sheriff Bill Watson was at City Hall on another matter, but while in the parking garage, he saw the expired inspection sticker — seven months past due — on Mayor Kenny Wright's car.
When Watson went to issue a citation to Wright, the mayor refused to stop and drove out of the parking garage.
Wright later stopped outside the garage. When the sheriff asked for his license and registration, Wright said, "Sheriff, get away from me."
Wright then drove off, leading the sheriff on a chase through downtown.
"He told me to get away from him. Really? He's going to jail," said Watson.
Several police officers, who joined in pursuit of the mayor, were present at the end.
“He was on the phone calling the police chief trying to do something about me stopping him,” Watson said.
Wright was issued a citation for the expired inspection sticker.
“I could have charged him with evasion. I chose not to do that," Watson said. "I wrote him up for an expired inspection sticker as I would any other citizen. He’s got to fall under the same law as any other citizen."