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‘I overreacted,’ Chesterfield terror suspect says of high speed chase

Posted at 6:49 PM, Sep 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-22 18:49:01-04

CHESTERFIELD, Va. – The man arrested for leading Virginia State Police on a 90-mile pursuit that reached speeds of 100 mph was identified as 32-year-old Sky R. Almodovar, of North Chesterfield County.

“Despite attempts by state and local police to stop the suspect vehicle, the pursuit did not end until the vehicle lost control in the curve of the Jahnke Road exit ramp from southbound Chippenham Parkway at the City of Richmond and Chesterfield County line,” said Virginia State Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Vick. “The suspect vehicle then rammed two State Police cars before finally being contained and stopped at the bottom of the exit ramp."

Almodovar spoke to CBS 6 from jail, and right out of the gate, he apologized.

“I want to say first and foremost, sorry…to everyone…mainly family...even the officers…the whole city pretty much,” he said.

Almodovar, a convicted felon, said that when police tried to pull him over near Charlottesville, he went against his better judgment and ran.

He has convictions dating back to 2001, assault and battery, grand larceny, selling drugs, robbery and a current malicious wounding charge.

“I definitely was nervous,” he said, “…possibly overreacted…”

He said he reacted out of fear.

Police believed Almodovar was driving on a revoked license and thought he was armed.

Almodovar said he had no weapons, but didn't stop for police because he was nervous.

In the past month or so he said he believes he had been followed by undercover officers.

“They've done this a lot,” he said. “Tailing me in traffic when I’m with other people, treating me like a criminal everywhere I go,” he said. “Corner store, unmarked cars and truck.”

Sources tell CBS 6 that Almodovar is on an FBI terror watch list.

He believes it stems from rumors and that he doesn’t belong on a terrorist watch list.

He maintains that he has no known ties to terrorist, saying the accusations are “apparently because I’m of the Muslim faith…”.

“Im a mattress salesman, that’s what I know how to do,” he added.

Almodovar was charged with three felony counts of eluding police, three counts of driving while license revoked, making an unsafe lane change, disregard a stop light and unauthorized use of a state inspection sticker, according to Virginia State Police.

He said he knows running made things worse.

He is being held without bond.

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