Arcadia police chase: passenger killed, driver arrested in Temple City

ARCADIA, Calif. (KABC) -- A passenger in a stolen vehicle was killed in a collision in Temple City during a police pursuit Monday morning.

Arcadia police officers located the stolen vehicle near Workman and Baldwin avenues at about 11:30 a.m. Two males were inside the stolen vehicle. Officers tried to stop the vehicle near Santa Avenue and Freer Street, but the driver did not yield, and a pursuit was initiated.

The driver of the stolen vehicle drove westbound on westbound Lower Azusa Road into Temple City, according to police, and drove through a red signal light in the intersection of Lower Azusa Road and Arden Drive.

The suspect vehicle was struck by a vehicle traveling southbound on Arden. The suspect vehicle sustained major damage, killing the passenger inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene by responding county fire personnel.

The suspect driver sustained apparent minor injuries, according to police, and was arrested at the scene without further incident.

The suspect driver was identified as Richard John Villareal, a 28-year-old Arcadia resident. The deceased passenger was not identified pending notice of next of kin. Villareal was arrested for grand theft auto, felony evading and suspicion of murder.

Police said the suspect vehicle reached an estimated top speed of 70 mph; it was estimated the suspect vehicle was traveling approximately 50-60 mph at the time of the crash.

The case was under investigation by Arcadia Police and the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept.

Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5123, case #14-2780.

If you prefer to provide information anonymously, call "Crime Stoppers" at (800) 222-TIPS, or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or use the tip page at Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers.