Car chase suspect arrested in El Sereno

Sid Garcia Image
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Car chase suspect arrested in El Sereno
A stolen-vehicle suspect was arrested in El Sereno following a pursuit on Wednesday morning.

EL SERENO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A stolen-vehicle suspect was arrested following a pursuit from Highland Park to El Sereno on Wednesday morning.

The chase began around 10:30 a.m. on York Boulevard, according to the LAPD. Authorities say the burgundy Lexus he was driving caught the attention of LAPD officers because it didn't have any license plates and he wasn't wearing a seat belt.

When officers tried to pull him over, he sped off. The suspect traveled on the 110 Freeway and then went through surface streets in South Pasadena and Highland Park.

At one point, the driver drove over a center median and nearly lost control. The front driver's side tire was flattened and eventually peeled off the vehicle, but the suspect continued driving on the wheel rim.

The suspect also damaged the windshield of the Lexus when he dangerously drove through railroad crossing gates.

"The Gold Line railroad track arms were coming down, and he intentionally drove his vehicle through the arms of the Gold Line train, and luckily for him, the train was not passing through at that time," LAPD Sgt. Juan Campos said.

Police eventually performed a PIT maneuver, spinning the Lexus onto a curb. The chase ended around 11 a.m. on Huntington Drive North at Kendell Ave.

The suspect exited the car and surrendered to authorities. Police say he is a known gang member out on parole. The investigation is ongoing.

City News Service contributed to this report.