La Verne Police Pursue Stolen Vehicle, Suspect Crashes and Faces Felony Charges

On Tuesday afternoon, La Verne police officers spotted a stolen vehicle near Williams Avenue and Foothill Boulevard and attempted to pull the driver over. The driver, a male suspect, refused to stop and led police on a high-speed chase onto the westbound 10 Freeway.

During the pursuit, a female passenger in the stolen SUV tried to jump out of the moving vehicle multiple times but was forcibly pulled back inside by the driver. The suspect eventually slowed down enough to allow the woman to run away before continuing to flee from authorities.

The chase ended when the suspect exited the freeway in West Covina and ran a red light at the intersection of Barranca Avenue and Garvey Avenue, striking another SUV. The impact caused the suspect's vehicle to overturn and land on its side, trapping the driver inside the wreckage.

First responders extricated the suspect from the overturned SUV and transported him to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. "The suspect suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital," according to police reports.

Why this matters: Police pursuits often end in dangerous collisions that put the lives of suspects, officers, and innocent bystanders at risk. This incident highlights the ongoing problem of vehicle theft and the challenges law enforcement faces in apprehending suspects while minimizing potential harm to the public.

The suspect, whose identity has not been released, is expected to face multiple felony charges including evading arrest, domestic violence, and false imprisonment. The crash occurred at the same West Covina intersection where a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy was shot just one day prior. Authorities did not provide an update on the condition of the female passenger who escaped from the vehicle during the chase or the occupants of the SUV that was struck by the suspect.

Key Takeaways

• Police spotted a stolen vehicle, leading to a high-speed chase.
• Female passenger tried to jump out but was forced back in.
• Suspect crashed at an intersection, overturning the vehicle.
• Suspect suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized.
• Suspect faces charges including evading arrest, domestic violence, and false imprisonment.