Louisville Driver Arrested After Nitrous Oxide Chase and Yard Damage
A Louisville man was charged Saturday after allegedly driving under the influence of nitrous oxide, according to a report by wdrbwave.com.
Friday. A witness told responding officers that her ex-husband, 49-year-old Alexander Raitz, had arrived at her property and driven his vehicle across her front yard. Home security footage provided investigators with a clear view of the suspect’s vehicle.
Suspect Returns to Scene and Destroys Yard
The victim informed investigators that Raitz had a history of inhaling nitrous oxide, a practice that caused him to act erratically and potentially violently. Shortly after officers finished taking the initial report, Raitz returned to the scene, driving off Eastern Parkway and stopping again on the victim’s front yard. When police ordered him to stop, he accelerated down Keswick Boulevard.
During the search for the vehicle, the victim contacted LMPD two more times to report that Raitz had driven through her yard and garden yet again, resulting in at least $2,500 in property damage. Raitz then drove to his home on Saratoga Boulevard, where neighbors reported a reckless driver matching his vehicle’s description.
When officers arrived at the Saratoga Boulevard location, Raitz drove his car directly into a police vehicle before fleeing the scene. The LMPD Air Unit soon spotted the car near Eastern Parkway and Alexander Avenue. A subsequent traffic stop attempt at Preston Parkway and Eastern Parkway prompted Raitz to drive the wrong way down Shelby Street.
Officers attempted another stop at Poplar Level Road and Clarks Lane. Raitz responded by driving onto the sidewalk and running a red light at the intersection of Poplar Level Road and Trevillian Way.
Officers Deploy Grappler Device and K9 to Arrest Driver
The pursuit ended near Trevillian Way and Carlton Drive when an LMPD SWAT unit deployed a grappler device to immobilize the vehicle. Raitz refused commands to exit the car and resisted officers as they attempted to remove him, forcing police to deploy a K9 to take him into custody.
Arrest documents noted that officers observed dozens of used and unused nitrous oxide canisters in plain view inside the vehicle. Due to his behavior, officers could not complete a standard field sobriety test, though they believe he was intoxicated on nitrous oxide during the incident.
Raitz was transported to Baptist East Hospital for medical clearance before being booked into the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. He faces multiple charges, including fleeing or evading police, criminal mischief, operating a motor vehicle under the influence, reckless driving, harassment, disregarding traffic signals, and wanton endangerment. His arraignment is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m.
