Stolen car crashes into patio after chase in Fountain Valley, police say; 4 arrested

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- A stolen car slammed into the patio of a Fountain Valley home, and four suspects were arrested after a police chase early Tuesday morning, authorities said.

When Santa Ana officers in the area attempted to conduct a traffic stop due to motor vehicle violations, the driver fled and a pursuit ensued, a spokesperson for the Santa Ana Police Department said.

The chase, which lasted about two minutes, made its way southbound on Newhope Street before the suspects' car crashed into a residence in the 16000 block of Sierra Street, according to investigators.

Cristian Maradiaga's wife ran to their 4-month-old baby as the car narrowly missed her crib. It crashed into the bedroom where Maradiaga's aunt was sleeping, and his great aunt had just left the room.

"I heard a loud first boom and then a loud second boom. Immediately my wife said the baby!" he said. "It was amazing that my aunt survived that. I mean she was literally where the car came in."

He said two of the men in the car got out and ran into his house. He then grabbed his gun and held them at gunpoint until police arrived.

A woman ran into a nearby yard and remained there for about 50 minutes. Authorities believe she, and the other suspects, were armed because they found a revolver dumped in the area. She was taken into custody after a K-9 unit was deployed. The K-9 pulled her out from behind a bush.

The suspects were identified as 29-year-old Tanisha Marie Estrada of Santa Ana, 21-year-old Leticia Dominguez of Santa Ana, 23-year-old Daniel Enrique Ramirez of Santa Ana and 20-year-old Joshua Rudy Ramirez. They are all known gang members, police said.

Authorities believe the group is tied to a series of crimes. Police also found cocaine and methamphetamine inside the car.

Two of the suspects were on parole, police said, while the other two were on probation.