Driver Taunts Police During 3-County Pursuit

Los Angeles CA

24 April, 2021

1:19 AM

Description

SANTA ANA, CA — A confounding police chase wound through three Southern California Counties Friday ending with the driver in custody. The chase began in Rialto after the driver reported himself to the police. Others also called police to report that he had been drinking at a bar before driving off in a black Mitsubishi Lancer with a child in his lap, according to CBS2. However, after a chase that meandered through San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties, no child was found when the driver was finally taken into custody. Rialto Police Department officers pursued the man until he entered the westbound San Bernardino (10) Freeway, at which point, the pursuit was handed off to the California Highway Patrol. The man drove to the Baldwin Park area in Los Angeles County, all the while taunting police officers while smoking and drinking. He also threw what appeared to be a plastic bag and an aluminum can onto the freeway. He eventually transitioned onto the eastbound Orange (57) Freeway in the Diamond Bar area and drove through Brea until he reached the southbound Santa Ana (5) Freeway. He briefly exited the freeway onto surface streets in Santa Ana and Tustin. The CHP attempted a PIT maneuver on the car about 4:05 p.m. along West 17th Street, but were only able to break off his rear bumper. The man reentered the 5 on the northbound side and transitioned to the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway before he again exited and began driving on surface streets. Police performed a successful PIT maneuver on the vehicle about 4:20 p.m. as the man was driving on Fourth Street in Santa Ana. The man exited his vehicle and sat on the curb, ignoring commands from police for a brief time. He eventually complied with officers' orders and was taken into custody about 4:30 p.m. No injuries were reported. City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.