Police pursuit ends with standoff in Boyle Heights

A man believed to be armed with a gun was arrested Monday morning after a pursuit with police ended in a brief standoff in Boyle Heights, authorities said, although no gun was found.

Corey Mikel Smith, 44, of Houston was arrested on suspicion of evading a peace officer and causing great bodily injury or death, said Officer Mike Lopez, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department.

The offense can be charged either as a misdemeanor or a felony, according to the California Vehicle Code.

Smith was being held in lieu of $125,000 bail, according to jail records.

Officers began following the man’s vehicle about 2:30 a.m. after calls about disturbing the peace with a gun, police said.

Smith eventually drove down a dead-end road at North State and New Jersey streets, near Adventist Health White Memorial Hospital, authorities said.

After reaching the end of the street, he turned his gray SUV around and tried to drive out, but police blocked his path with their cruisers, according to video from OnScene.TV.

Smith could be seen rolling a cigarette and smoking it during the standoff. He also wiped his eyes with his T-shirt as he visibly wept inside the car.

Police ordered him to get out of the car, but he shook his head and at one point leaned the top half of his body out the driver’s window and tapped the top of his head with his hand.

The standoff lasted for about three hours, according to authorities.

Smith was taken into custody about 5:30 a.m., but no gun was recovered at the scene, police said.

Times staff writer Gregory Yee contributed to this report.