El Monte police chase: Suspect in custody

EL MONTE, Calif. (KABC) -- El Monte Police arrested a man after a slow-speed pursuit of an SUV on residential streets Monday night that lasted for about an hour. The chase ended in in an intersection, blocking traffic for about 20 minutes. No injuries were reported.

Police tried to pull the SUV over for a code violation at about 7:15 p.m., but the vehicle took off. The pursuit began near Durfee Avenue and Rush Street. As police followed the SUV, it traveled slowly, at speeds of about 25-30 mph, making it easy for police to attempt to use a spike-strip to disable the vehicle. The attempt was successful and at least one tire was blown. But the suspect driver continued to flee.

At least one more spike-strip attempt was made. At about 8:10 p.m. the chase was in the area of Valley and Garvey. All four tires appeared to be disabled. Smoke and some sparks could be seen coming from the vehicle.

The suspect driver was reportedly flashing gang signs and trying to engage pedestrian spectators.

The suspect stopped the SUV in the middle of the intersection of Peck Road and Elliott Avenue in El Monte and came out with his hands up. Officers with guns drawn instructed the man to walk backward toward them, and he was taken into custody.

Crowds of people lined the sidewalks watching the incident. The driver was the only person in the suspect vehicle. It was not immediately known if the driver is the owner.

A flatbed tow-truck quickly arrived on the scene to remove the disabled SUV and the intersection was cleared.