2 armed robbery suspects arrested after chase, barricade in Santa Clarita

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- Two armed robbery suspects led authorities on a chase through the San Fernando Valley and then the Santa Clarita Valley Friday evening.

Authorities said the two armed suspects robbed two cellphone stores in the Sunland-Tujunga area. The first Metro PCS store, in the 8000 block of Foothill Boulevard, was hit about 7 p.m.

About 45 minutes later, a store in the 8400 block of Sunland Boulevard was also robbed. LAPD officers were already surveilling that store. They followed the suspects onto the freeway and tried to pull them over. When they fled, a chase ensued.

The suspects headed northbound on the 5 Freeway into the Sylmar area in a white four-door Nissan.

At one point, the suspects headed through surface streets and traveled on San Fernando Road toward the 210 Freeway interchange.

During the chase on surface streets, the driver headed in the wrong direction on the Sierra Highway, running a red light and almost hitting a truck.

The suspects then headed into the Santa Clarita Valley, driving through residential neighborhoods. Once they reached the corner of Via Canon and Valle de Oro, the driver and passenger fled the still-moving vehicle.

One person was taken into custody immediately after bailing.

The other suspect remained on the loose and ran into a condominium complex on the corner of the streets. He remained barricaded inside the building for more than an hour while officers attempted to convince him to surrender.

Around 9:15 p.m., the suspect emerged with his hands up and was safely taken into custody without further incident.

Minutes later, a woman with two children also emerged from the complex and made contact with the officers.