Suspect taken into custody after hours-long standoff on 91 Fwy in Corona

CORONA, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities took a chase suspect into custody after an hours-long standoff on the 91 Freeway in Corona early Thursday morning.

The situation started around 1 a.m. when a citizen in Costa Mesa called the local police department informing them that a person matching the composite sketch of a serial killer in Arizona was nearby and armed with a gun. The person gave authorities a description of the car, and police soon located the vehicle.

Authorities engaged in a chase with the suspect that eventually ended in Corona on the westbound 91 Freeway near McKinley Street, causing both directions of travel to be shut down.

The suspect remained in the vehicle until just before 4:30 a.m. when he gave up and was taken into custody without incident. CHP also said the suspect was not armed with a firearm but a pellet gun.

Law enforcement officials contacted the Phoenix Police Department to see if the suspect matched the description of the Arizona shooting suspect known as "the serial street shooter."

The Phoenix Police Department released a composite sketch Tuesday on its Facebook page. Authorities said the shooter may be connected to at least seven killings in the west Phoenix area.

The department later issued the following statement to ABC affiliate KNXV-TV.

"We have been in contact with California authorities and believe these incidents are unrelated," Sgt. Jonathan Howard said.

The suspect was later identified as Hector Vasquez, 43, of Beverly Hills, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and brandishing a weapon. His car was registered to his girlfriend, authorities said. CHP later confirmed Vasquez was not the suspect wanted in Arizona.

The investigation was ongoing.