SUSPECT BURNS HIS APARTMENT, AVOIDS CAPTURE.

Byline: Daily News

A suspect eluded police Saturday during a chase and search of his neighborhood, at one point setting fire to his apartment as a diversion that sickened five officers with smoke inhalation, Los Angeles police said.

Police received a tip that the man, identified as Steven Maurice Miko, 36, and wanted on a warrant alleging robbery and assault on a police officer, would be at Northridge Hospital Medical Center on Saturday, said Officer Jason Lee. When officers tried to detain him at 4:47 p.m. he drove off, leading them on a four-minute chase to Parthenia Street and Etiwanda Avenue, where he ran off, Lee said.

Officers surrounded and searched the area, which included Miko's apartment building, Lee said. At about 8 p.m., ``it appears the suspect possibly started the fire on the third floor to make some kind of diversion to get away,'' Lee said. Two of the injured officers were taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center as a precaution, Lee said.

At about 10:30 p.m., officers were still searching for the man, whom they described as armed and dangerous.