Hours-long standoff ends on train tracks in Boyle Heights
What started as a pursuit of a possibly stolen SUV ended with the suspect trying to hop on a moving train to get away from deputies before locking himself in a potentially stolen SUV on train tracks in Boyle Heights.
It happened around 2:30 p.m. Friday. Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department were in pursuit of a driver wanted for a suspected stolen vehicle on the 605 Freeway in Norwalk. Authorities tracked the vehicle using a GPS system attached to the SUV.
The suspect later entered the 5 Freeway where he drove in the wrong direction, hit several cars and drove over medians.
The pursuit came to Boyle Heights when the suspect bailed on foot, leaping over train tracks and attempting to jump onto a passing train. The suspect had disabled with one wheel barely hanging onto the SUV after he struck one of the rails near Noaks and Colzana Street.
"I've never seen anything like this!" said Desmond Shaw who was reporting from Sky9 on the suspect.
The suspect returned to his vehicle after aimlessly walking around and looking for a way out. He was seen covering the windows with cardboard and sunshades as deputies gathered behind a train car a couple of dozen yards away. After learning that the suspect was armed with a gun, deputies decided to wait for an armored car, called a BearCat, to arrive before approaching.
The suspect continued to communicate with deputies claiming that he wanted to surrender but just wanted more time to collect himself. At about the same time, the BearCat arrived at the scene.
After about three hours, deputies began to approach the suspect's vehicle using the BearCat. Shortly after, the suspect opened the door and surrendered to authorities with no shirt and hands up. The suspect was taken to the hospital after officers learned he was on drugs.
According to the Sheriff's Lieutenant that negotiated with the suspect, the man called 911 after barricading himself inside his vehicle. He then admitted to being on methamphetamine and fentanyl. The suspect said that he was too scared to jump on the moving train because he did not want to die.
Suspect surrenders to authorities
Shortly after deputies drove an armored vehicle up to the front of the suspect's SUV, the suspect opened the door and slowly walked out with his hands up.
Deputies close in suspect with BearCat
Deputies drove their armored vehicle, called a BearCat, up to the front end of the suspect's vehicle. There was no visible reaction from the suspect.
Witness details moments leading up to standoff
Joy Benedict was live in Boyle Heights Friday, where she spoke with one witness who detailed the moments where a pursuit turned standoff suddenly disrupted his place of work.
Deputies close nearby streets as standoff continues
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has closed down streets near Noakes and Calzona Street in Boyle Heights as the standoff continues.
Suspect reportedly communicating with deputies
The suspect communicated with deputies and stated that he wanted to surrender but just wanted more time.
Armored vehicle now on scene
Deputies driving an armored vehicle called a BearCat arrived at the scene. The suspect continues to barricade himself inside his disabled vehicle.
Deputies were tracking vehicle with GPS
The stolen vehicle was equipped with a LoJack system which allowed police to pinpoint the suspect's location.
Deputies gather behind train car during standoff
A handful of Los Angeles County Sherriff's deputies were seen staging behind a train car as the suspect covered all of his windows.
Suspect runs toward train, fails to jump on
After crashing his vehicle on train tracks in Boyle Heights, the suspect was seen running toward a passing train. He did not jump on.
Suspect barricades himself into stolen SUV
The armed suspect covered all of his windows with sunshades and cardboard boxes.
Suspect crashes on train tracks
The driver of that black SUV crashed through a fence and drove on train tracks before losing control in the area of Noaks and Colzana Streets. After trying to flee on foot, he is now back inside the damaged vehicle. LASD deputies are staging near the truck with guns drawn.