Bentley driver in chase was a former luxury car dealer in Chicago

A driver who led Los Angeles police on a more than three-hour, low-speed chase in a Bentley before shooting himself to death early this morning was identified as a former Chicago-area resident who once rented out luxury cars in the Loop for as much as $3,500 a day, authorities said.

Authorities this afternoon had not officially identified the man, but family members and Los Angeles police sources said he was Mustafa "Moe" Mustafa and was believed to have been in his late 20s. Mustafa grew up in Chicago's southwest suburbs, and he owned a condominium in the South Loop, according to family members and public records.

Mustafa shot himself after more than a dozen police cruisers surrounded his white Bentley near Universal City, police sources said. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

"It appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot," said one police source, who said Mustafa was distraught over the loss of his business.

Mustafa had once operated luxury car rentals in the Loop and in Las Vegas. However, a family member said, that a dispute with a longtime girlfriend who lives in Los Angeles sparked the incident. Mustafa had recently moved to L.A. to be with the woman, said the family member, who did not want to be identified.

Police sources said Mustafa was suspected of assault with a deadly weapon on his girlfriend. They also suspected from the start of the chase that he was armed. The chase began shortly before 8 p.m. Monday, Los Angeles police Officer Karen Smith said. Driving less than 40 mph, the man behind the wheel of the more than $100,000 car began leading officers southbound on the 101 Freeway through Hollywood, and kept heading south on different freeways nearly to the coast, then headed back north before stopping on Lankershim Boulevard near a well-lighted Toyota dealership.

An unidentified dark-haired woman approached the car and appeared to attempt to talk to someone in the Bentley. As police waved her away, the trunk popped open, and police cars quickly lined up behind it; officers then trained their weapons on the car from behind the open doors of more than a dozen squad cars. News helicopters hovered over the scene, and authorities kept back a crowd of photographers and gawkers.

Mustafa, wearing a close-cropped beard and sunglasses, could be seen on some of the live TV coverage sitting in the front seat for nearly 90 minutes after stopping. According to public records, Mustafa had operated an "exotic car" rental business, with locations in Chicago and Las Vegas. Records also show that Mustafa had several luxury cars registered in his name, including a 2006 BMW, 2007 Chevrolet Corvette, 2007 Cadillac Escalade and a 2007 Hummer.

In a 2005 Crain's Chicago Business profile of Chicago Exotic Car Rentals -- one of the businesses Mustafa had operated -- the article listed automobiles the company rented out, such as a 2004 Ferrari, 360 Spider, a 2005 Bentley Continental GT and a 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo. He listed his rental prices as $275 to $3,500 a day.

Mustafa told Crain's that his clientele consisted of "Celebrities like Kanye West and people interested in trying something special for a weekend, anniversary or bachelor party."

Nick Campbell, the director of operations for Rent-A-Vette, a Las Vegas rental car business, knew Mustafa when he owned a competing business in the city. He described Mustafa as friendly, smart and "straightforward." Campbell said Mustafa got his start in Internet marketing before getting into the car rental business. Campbell said Mustafa tried to sell his business to Rent-A-Vette a few years ago but eventually sold it to someone else.

Once Mustafa left Las Vegas, he sometimes referred customers to Rent-A-Vette, Campbell said. The last time anyone from Rent-A-Vette came in contact with Mustafa was roughly six months ago when Mustafa referred a customer to them. When Mustafa was trying to sell his business a few years ago, Campbell said, he remembers Mustafa saying he was planning to go back to Chicago but talked about starting businesses in Los Angeles and Miami.

-- Andrew Blankstein, Jeremy Gorner and Noreen Ahmed-Ullah

Photo: California Highway Patrol officers take cover behind a cruiser door with weapons drawn as they watch the suspect white Bentley. Credit: Dan Steinberg / Associated Press

Previously on L.A. Now

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Octuplets' mom identifies her fertility clinic in Beverly Hills

Man leads police on chase, then fatally shoots himself in standoff

Chris Brown's chewing gum ads put on hold amid assault probe

Actor Faizon Love charged in assault

Witness may be key in Chris Brown case

Comments

[Shak]

Money and women are the reasons for most mistakes in life. Looks like he was involved with both.

[Ryan]

Sounds like a class act.

[Problem]

Shak you're a brilliant one with a comment like that. I hope you never procreate yourself. You're no better than this crazy lady.

[Roger]

I agree with Shak.

No I don't want to pay for your food little princess either...

[Hamed]

What a shame...people lose more than that, and they don't resort to a shot in the head. I was there at the scene, after he shot himself and was sent to the hospital...what a sad ending.

[sports car hire]

poor guy

[Randy]

It's not how much you lose, it's what you refuse to live without. Many people have had to start over with nothing. The house, the business, the girlfriend isn't who you are. When you start thinking, that's it, I won't live without it, then you need to reevaluate life. I've been homeless and it's not as bad as you might think. I've been blessed with friends who gave me a place to stay and the encouragement to start over. Life can be lived with just a little self respect, and that's free.

[GuyfromOC]

Poor guy killing him self over a girl and money! look like the girl played him good.

if you are having trouble with a girl kick her to the curb and get another one, if your busniess is going down sell all your cars and move in with your mom and start all over again if you can do once you can do it again.

money and girls come and go but your life is worth more then anything and just being in his late 20's now that's young.

[Rick]

Take a look at how domestic disputes are settled and you will find that almost consistently side with the women. Remember the Santa Claus shooting a few weeks ago? Same thing happened there...the woman wanted to take this guy for all he had...

Seriously people, the laws need to be revised and make them FAIR to the parties involved.

[James]

This is awful, just awful. It breaks my heart to hear that such desperation can lead to such finite acts. I fear we are going to see more of this in the coming weeks and months as our economy unwinds. The high flying lifestyles of the past give way to dashed dreams and hopes come crashing to earth as Icarus finds wings made of wax. Sad. Very sad.

[Meek]

Randy well said. If more people have that attitude on life I can amagine how many lives could be saved. As James said more of this type of behavior will unfold as the days and weeks pass. God Bless Us All

[and i am one too]

men can be so pathetic.

[Hugo]

I'm going through the same situation as this man who had his high flying life come tumbling down. I'm in my late 20s and had my portfolio of stocks and investments worth about 1.5 Million just 8 months but now is worth virtually nothing. It's hard for a lot of people to comprehend why one would commit suicide and take their own life but not me. Once you had your life being successful and suddenly that crashes on you the next day then you sincerely feel there is no other way out but to do what he did. I know this because I'm contemplating doing the same thing sad to say. Put an end to this new reality and pain.

[Ford Owner]

We've had too much murder and mayhem lately committed by looney tunes who then turned the gun on themselves. People should be grateful that Mustafa took his own life and not others.

[Christopher]

Hugo: What kind of portfolio did you have?

[casinocon]

Unfortunately many can feel this man's pain. His world came crashing down. I too was contemplating my choices awhile back and it was pretty grim. Basically, sell everything I own to live, and then when that was gone, end it all. Other than that my only option was to crash on friends and/or family's couches until I got lucky and maybe could get a job. What you have to understand is that these people felt pretty good about themselves when they had money, and when they lost it, they lost hope. Money does NOT make the man or woman. Lucky for me, I got a job, and now am so thankful and grateful to have a chance to build my life again, albeit in a modest form. Times are tough and we all must modify our goals and measures of success.

[theborghomeworld]

Hugo,
You are not alone and help is available. Call the LA county crisis hotline at 1-800-854-7771. Or go to an emergency room. People do care!

[Hugo - We are With Ya]

Hey Hugo,

A lot of people are going through tough times now and It's understandable that you are pretty upset with your losses. Realize this will pass though.. I hope you have some friends or family to discuss your rough situation with. God Bless.

[jcristales77]

Hugo,
I am not a religous freak. But I do know that taking your own life is a one way ticket to eternal damnation. I personally have never lost that kind of $$ but I do know that you are not alone. EVERYONE is going through hard times right now. Keep your head up and strive for a comeback. You are young enough to get yourself up and dust yourself off and make this a life learning lesson. Dont you ever consider doing what this guy did. Right now wherever he is, He is regretting what he did and its too late. There is plenty of $$ out there to be made. Just reinvent yourself!! I wish you luck.

[russell]

Things can easily be replaced. They are just things.

[Bud]

Hugo... Do you think others haven't taken a minimum 40% to 60% hit on their retirements accounts and investments, also?

Everyone has, just like you!

Be thankful you're fairly young and dealing with the loss as opposed to those who are older and lack the time and energy to start over.

[joey]

Hugo, money comes and goes. There is nothing more precious that life to share with family and friends. Find a real group of friends. Things will get better. Stay optimistic. It hurts like a bit--- but taking your life can never be an option, its a copout.

[Willie]

I guess the prospect of maybe going to prison on top of losing his business was too much for the man. I don't know what happened between him and the women but, for the police to get involved, it must have been serious. Like some have already posted, alot of people are worst off then he was and they are still fighting and dealing with there situation. I went through the pain of foreclosure but I never felt hopeless enough to think of committing suicide. May he rest in peace.

[Miguel]

That is never the answer!! look to GOD! offer all your troubles and move forward!

[Markies]

Suicide is a great sin! I hope GOD forgives him!!
People lose way more than that! Some people in this world have never held $2000 in their hands. I am not trying to be judgmental but hey Come on people. Losing money or a business is not the end of the world. That's not what life is all about. Maybe there are some other factors to it but nothing justifies suicide. To me, that's a selfish act, where you just try to bail out the "easy" way and leave your loved ones to grieve. May God have mercy on his soul! Amen.