A suspect led police on a dangerous pursuit through Downtown Los Angeles following three previous collisions, stole a car from another driver at gunpoint, and was taken down by police on live TV (KTTV FOX 11).
An offender led Los Angeles police on a high-speed chase across Los Angeles while carjacking one victim and crashing into multiple other vehicles Monday evening as the sun was setting. The suspect was captured, but the news chopper view of the capture was blocked by trees. The man was been taken into custody.
Police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle sighted near 1st Street, near the Hollenbeck station in Boyle Heights, about 5:15 p.m. The male offender with dark skin, believed to be 30-35 years old, was traveling 50-60 mph on surface streets near the 101 Freeway and could be seen by SKY9 on the wrong side of the road in several instances.
The man crashed into a pickup at a busy intersection, and minutes later crashed into another vehicle but managed to continue driving with the moderately damaged vehicle.
The offender was involved in a third collision in South Gate as sparks were visible coming from metal of the vehicle. The offender still managed to continue speeding through intersections, verering into oncoming traffic and running over a median curb. He then involved in a crash that spun the vehicle around and cause severe damage to the stolen car, which made it undrivable.
The offender then fled on foot with darkness approaching, and attempted to overtake several drivers — some drove away.
VIDEO: WITNESS CAPTURES VIOLENT CARJACKING DURING LAPD PURSUIT
The suspect could be seen pulling what appeared to be a handgun on the driver of a stopped vehicle at Garfield Avenue and Imperial Highway. The woman in that car bailed out of her car and ran to protection behind other vehicles that were in traffic.
After 5:40 p.m. the suspect continued driving northbound on the 710 Freeway in East L.A. and then headed back onto surface streets in Monterey Park and transferred to the 60 Freeway.
The suspect’s vehicle became wedged between two cars on Via Campo off the 60 Freeway in Montebello. He exited the vehicle, fled on foot — apparently attempting to carjack another vehicle that was in open traffic.
The offender was then shot on the roadway and fell to the ground — behind some trees and out of the view of the FOX 11 News helicopter.
Police confirmed there was an officer-involved shooting as the pursuit came to an end. At least two officers fired on the suspect, who was facedown shortly before 5:50 p.m. He was placed in custody, and transported to a local hospital while police held him in custody.
No police officers were reported injured. There is no confirmation whether any other motorists were injured.
Numerous “numerous felony charges” were expected to be filed against the offender.
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