PHOENIX - The man police say is responsible for a 60-mile wild chase across the Valley Wednesday defended his actions as he entered 4th Avenue Jail. He told reporters DPS had no reason to pull him over in the first place.
"They attempted to make a stop without probable cause or reasonable suspicion," Mitchell Taebel said. “I called 911.”
Police, however, are telling a different story.
"He was being stopped for a moving traffic violation," DPS spokesperson Kameron Lee said.
12 News briefly spoke with Taebel's mother over the phone. She told us the 31-year-old lives in Los Angeles and works as an actor. His social media pages and website showcase some of his work.
But his website also features several lawsuits he has allegedly filed. In one alleged legal document posted on his website, Taebel appears to be suing an apartment complex in Arizona for denying his application. In another, he appears to be claiming $250 million from the city of Los Angeles because he says he was arrested without probable cause, the same thing he told reporters here in Arizona.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Taebel also claims to be anti-government.
"The federal government of America has plenty of issues," he says in a video.
DPS officials say Taebel is no stranger to police.
"Our suspect does have an extensive criminal history of both violent felony convictions and misdemeanor convictions in several states," Lee said.
According to court documents, Taebel stated he had the right to take an officer's life if an arrest attempt was made and he would not obey any rules or laws imposed on his freedom.
Court paperwork also showed Taebel asked to make a recorded statement before invoking his right to remain silent. A few minutes later he changed his mind and said there was no reasonable suspicion or probable cause for the initial traffic stop - citing federal statues and case law.
Taebel said he had multiple court cases and was suing several police agencies for violating his rights, according to the documents.
Taebel appeared in court Thursday morning for his initial appearance where his bail was set at $400,000 cash only.
Again, Taebel said there was a probable cause issue with his case and he “looked forward to sharing it.”
Taebel’s preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 5.