LOS ANGELES (CNS) – A suspect in a stolen car who led Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies on a wild pursuit from East Los Angeles to the Pico- Union area is in critical condition Thursday after he was shot by deputies at the end of the chase.
The suspect struck multiple vehicles — including several sheriff’s patrol units — during Wednesday’s high-speed pursuit.
According to the sheriff’s department, the suspect allegedly carjacked a sedan in East Los Angeles at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday and sped onto the Long Beach (710) Freeway.
Deputies from the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station next saw the stolen sedan at 2:26 p.m. Wednesday near Whittier Boulevard and McDonnell Avenue in East Los Angeles and attempted to make a felony traffic stop in the 900 block of McDonnel Avenue. The suspect yielded and then suddenly reversed into the patrol vehicle, the department said. He then drove away southbound on McDonnell, with deputies in pursuit.
Throughout the chase, deputies conducted multiple traffic stops of the stolen vehicle suspect, who repeatedly reversed his vehicle into the patrol car multiple times, the sheriff’s department said.
The roughly half- hour-long chase came to an end around 2:47 p.m. in the area of Vermont Avenue and Venice Boulevard when the suspect crashed into an electricity pole, according to Lt. Patricia Thomas of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
With several patrol vehicles behind him and pinned against the pole, the suspect stepped on the gas pedal, backing into the patrol units and generating a large cloud of smoke, according to video footage from the scene.
Sheriff’s deputies then opened fire on the suspect, striking him multiple times and shattering the rear window of the sedan, ABC7 reported.
Prior to the shooting, the suspect raised one arm outside the window. After the shooting, the suspect was quickly pulled from the sedan and handcuffed.
Thomas said no weapon was recovered, but putting the car in reverse and striking a patrol car, she said, is “an assault with a deadly weapon” on a peace officer.
Los Angeles City Fire Department personnel responded, treated the man at the scene and then took him to a hospital, where he was reported to be in critical condition, according to the sheriff’s department.
Thomas said no deputies were injured.
Investigators from the California Department of Justice responded to the scene and will be handling the investigation regarding the deputy-involved shooting.
Anyone with information about the suspect or the shooting was urged to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or send tips to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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