I'm a strong believer in the police using the tactic of 'Police Helicopter' and strategically placed 'Stingers' rather then engaging in a yank style police chase. It's safer to stand off and have cars waiting then to keep on chasing at ridiculous speeds down side streets.
Whilst this old guy is in the wrong, they'd have had a stronger case had they just left him to drive off, followed him carefully and arrested him when he got home.