After stealing multiple vehicles and sideswiping cars during the chase Wednesday night, the suspect eventually crashed into a white sedan and then a gas station at Gale Avenue and Hacienda Boulevard after a deputy's vehicle smashed the stolen truck from behind.
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As authorities tried to apprehend the suspect, deputies were also seen grabbing and cuffing the driver of that sedan.
Chase: Suspect rams cars, steals van and truck during violent pursuit through LA, OC
Adrian Cruz says he was on his way home from work, and had his family in the car, when the chaotic scene unfolded in front of him. He then got out of the car because he said he wanted to get out of the way of any possible crossfire.
"It just sounded crazy, like a war zone... so I got out of the car immediately," Cruz said. "I don't want my son and my wife to be a part of that, so as soon as I get out of the car the cops just smash me, start socking me up, smashing me, throwing me in the back, like if I was the dude that stole the car."
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Cruz says he was released shortly after.
Eyewitness News reached out to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department on why he was detained, but we have not heard back.
RELATED: Whittier man details confronting chase suspect, trying to stop theft of his family's work truck
Whittier man details confronting chase suspect, trying to stop theft of his family's work truck
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