Dangerous chase of stolen van ends after driver hits two cars, surrenders at Santa Monica Pier
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- A man drove a reported stolen van at high speeds, hit two cars and nearly struck a pedestrian in a desperate attempt to escape law enforcement during a dangerous chase that ended near the Santa Monica Pier.
AIR7 was over the pursuit around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday as the suspect was fleeing on the 405 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley.
The pursuit began in Simi Valley and quickly entered west Los Angeles despite the afternoon traffic. Simi Valley police say the agency initiated the pursuit on the 118 Freeway after officers received a report of a stolen vehicle in the area of Tapo Canyon Road and Alamo Street.
Police identified the suspect as 21-year-old Alex Villegas of Santa Monica.
During the pursuit, the driver would weave in and out of traffic while going at high speeds.
Eventually, he exited the 405 onto surface streets and squeezed past other cars in the Santa Monica area. At one point, the van sideswiped a car and almost hit a pedestrian crossing the street.
The chase came to an end when the wanted driver rear-ended a car on a busy street and ditched the van.
He tried to run away from police but he soon surrendered at the Santa Monica Pier without incident. Witnesses recorded on their cellphones as two police officers placed handcuffs on the suspect.
Villegas was booked on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, hit-and-run and felony evading.
The stolen van belonged to World Appliances Heating and Air Conditioning based in Santa Clarita.
