CHP takes suspect into custody after 2 lengthy standoffs on 91, 710 freeways
COMPTON, Calif. (KABC) -- A suspect was taken into custody following two lengthy and bizarre standoffs in Paramount and Compton that caused major traffic jams on Friday.
The suspect was apprehended on the westbound 91 Freeway in Compton after California Highway Patrol officers surrounded his van and pulled him out of the vehicle shortly before 7:50 p.m.
For more than an hour, the man refused to surrender as his van was cornered between officers and the freeway wall.
Prior to the standoff, CHP officers slammed into the van after the suspect led them on a brief chase on shredded tires down the 91. At one point, officers fired what appeared to be less-than-lethal rounds that shattered the van's windows.
WATCH: Standoff on 91 Freeway ends with CHP pulling suspect out of van
From then on, officers tried to get the suspect to surrender as traffic began to back up on the westbound 91. However, the suspect used a tire and cardboard to cover the broken passenger window to prevent officers from seeing him.
There appeared to be some communication between the suspect and officers during the ordeal.
The standoff didn't end until officers - some carrying shields - approached the van from both sides and pulled the suspect out of the vehicle.
The incident began when the suspect, who was accused of kidnapping a woman, led authorities on a chase that ended in a standoff just off the 710 Freeway at Alondra Boulevard in the Paramount area. That standoff led to the closure of the southbound 710 just before 5 p.m. and caused traffic in the area to come to a halt.
The suspect eventually got out of the van when no patrol vehicles were behind him, but he returned and later got on the 91 Freeway.
Long Beach police says a woman initially reported she had been kidnapped, but as officers continued to investigate they reported no kidnapping occurred.
