Alleged narcotics suspect taken into custody after chase, standoff in Downey
DOWNEY, Calif. (KABC) -- An alleged narcotics suspect who was reportedly seen ingesting drugs led Los Angeles police officers on a high-speed chase from downtown Los Angeles to Downey Tuesday afternoon.
The chase began near Central Avenue and 8th Street in downtown Los Angeles at about 3:20 p.m. Police say a narcotics officer attempted to pull the suspect over, but he drove off.
A female passenger bailed out of the vehicle but was shortly taken into custody.
The driver then jumped onto the southbound 5 Freeway and exited Slauson Avenue in the city of Commerce.
RAW VIDEO: LAPD performs PIT maneuver, chase suspect continues
Police attempted a PIT maneuver near Telegraph Road and Passons Boulevard in Downey, but the suspect hit the curb and a tree and was able to continue.
The chase turned into a standoff after the suspect turned into a cul-de-sac in the 9800 block of Pico Vista Road in Downey, pulled into the driveway of a home and barricaded himself inside his battered green Land Rover.
The suspect moved over to the passenger seat and remained seated in his vehicle for about an hour.
At about 5 p.m. the suspect opened the passenger door of the vehicle and got out, still smoking. LAPD officers slowly approached the suspect and took him into custody. He appeared to be under the influence.
"He decided to open his door. He decided to have several more puffs from his cigarette and then he stepped out of the car. He did refuse to comply with commands to put his hands up or turn around. The officers made a very safe approach, got control of his hands and took him into custody without any incidents," said LAPD Capt. Donald Graham.
Further details were not immediately available.
