Man in green wig, Joker mask who lead pursuit from Orange County to Venice pleads not guilty

An Orange County man accused of wearing a green wig and a Joker mask while leading police on a chase from Westminster to Venice, where he was arrested on the beach, has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge.

Damik A. Disdier, who allegedly displayed a prop chainsaw during the bizarre pursuit, could face up to three years in state prison if convicted of fleeing a pursuing peace officer while driving recklessly, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The 40-year-old Santa Ana man pleaded not guilty Tuesday and is due back in the Airport Branch courthouse on Aug. 6.

California Highway Patrol officers began chasing a sedan about 2:50 p.m. Saturday on the northbound 405 Freeway after noticing that it was being driven recklessly, the CHP has said.

News helicopters overhead showed a man, sporting a green wig, standing through the car’s sunroof toward the end of the pursuit with a passenger apparently holding the steering wheel while the car moved along slowly.

The suspect jumped out of the car and ran and walked to the sand as beachgoers looked on. He stopped to help a man covering another man with sand and gave a high five.

About 3:45 p.m., the suspect removed his shirt and dropped his colorful jacket before kneeling on the sand, with officers about, and lying down for his arrest.