VIDEO: Motorcycle thief dies trying to elude police

by F.T. Norton
March 4, 2008

Print Email

A California man who was killed early Monday when he wrecked a stolen motorcycle, had several arrests for grand theft, an investigator said.

Travis Buffington, 36, originally of Temuculah, Calif., was pronounced dead at the scene of the 1:37 a.m. wreck at John and Stewart streets.

According to Sgt. Brian Humphrey, a deputy was on South Carson Street in an unmarked vehicle when he spotted a man not wearing a helmet and riding a motorcycle about 1:30 a.m.

Deputy S. Olson said he followed the vehicle down Colorado Street, to Roop Street and attempted to pull it over near Little Lane. Dispatch records recorded the traffic stop at 1:35 a.m.

Olson said the motorcyclist appeared as if he were going to stop, but once the two vehicles got into the parking lot of the post office, the motorcycle sped west on Little Lane and then north on Stewart Street.

He estimated the speed of the motorcycle at 100 mph. The deputy said he was unable to catch up to the bike and was at least two blocks behind him.

Deputy Jimmy Surratt heard the radio traffic of the chase and was sitting near Highway 50 East and Stewart Street when the motorcyclist blazed past him. By the time Surratt had rounded the corner of Stewart Street, Buffington had wrecked.

Sheriff Kenny Furlong said the bike struck the John Street curb of First Christian Church, then the south end of the church building, which is slated for demolition by the city to extend Stewart Street.

A family member in Dayton was notified Monday afternoon of Buffington's death, said Detective Dena Lacy.

Surveillance footage recovered from a camera on the rear of a craft store near Michael's Cycle Works revealed that Buffington went to the motorcycle shop two nights in a row.

"He went there Saturday night, cut the bottom of the fence, selected which bike he wanted and then came back Sunday," said Lacy. "The surveillance video then shows him working by himself, taking the motorcycle out of the crate and pushing it out of the fence."

Lacy was not certain if Buffington spent time in prison, but said that he had a lengthy criminal history including several arrests for grand theft.

He had recently been hired at a Carson City car wash and was believed to be staying in a North Carson Street motel room, she said.

Lacy noted that it's likely Buffington, who'd only been in the area for a few months, was unaware that Stewart Street ended at the dimly lit John Street. There was no evidence that Buffington was on the brake, or attempting to turn, when he struck the curb.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at 887-2020 ext. 41405.



• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.



Map of location