Chase suspect crashes stolen box truck into freeway barrier

BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A stolen vehicle suspect, who led authorities on a high-speed chase on the 5 Freeway through Los Angeles, crashed into a barrier before being taken into police custody Monday morning.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies with the Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station noticed a box truck traveling on the southbound 5 Freeway near Hasley Canyon shortly before 9:30 a.m. Deputies ran the license plate and discovered the car was stolen out of Lemoore in Central California.

A chase ensued and California Highway Patrol officers took over. The suspect, traveling as fast as 80 miles per hour, weaved through cars on the freeway before driving onto a dirt shoulder in Boyle Heights.

The box truck crashed into a freeway barrier and the suspect fled on foot. He ended up in a residential area and sat down on a curb behind a van.

CHP officers quickly surrounded the suspect and arrested him. Authorities identified the man as 27-year-old Jose Ramirez.

Inside the box truck, officers found 1,650 gallons of diesel fuel kept in place by two tires. The fuel was valued at nearly $5,000.