'Mindfreak' stunt on Clearwater Beach appears to be a go

CLEARWATER -- Las Vegas-based illusionist Criss Angel will pull off a spectacular escape on Clearwater Beach at the end of the month as long as the needed permits are in place, and a city official says that should happen.

"If they get the permits, he's coming," Clearwater city spokesman Doug Matthews said. "I'm fairly confident we're moving forward with this, and I don't see any reason why it won't happen."

Needed are a demolition permit from the city and an asbestos abatement permit from Pinellas County.

Angel's representatives recently approached the city of Clearwater about staging an escape during the demolition of the 9-story Spyglass Resort hotel building on July 30. The vacant hotel is being razed so make room for a large hotel.

"He's going to be in the building when they do the demolition, and somehow he magically escapes to the roof and is whisked off into the darkness," Matthews said after city officials met today with representatives of Angel's hit cable TV show, Criss Angel Mindfreak, which is shown on the A&E network.

Mike Donila, Times staff writer