Bank Forgery Suspects Arrested After Police Pursuit

NORTHRIDGE (CBSLA.com) — Police say some very alert citizens may have helped foil an attempted forgery at a San Fernando Valley bank.

The incident was reported about 12:30 p.m. Monday at a Citibank branch in the 19300 block of Rinaldi Street in Northridge, according to police.

Police responded to a call about two suspicious men who they later determined to be forgery suspects. When the two men noticed the LAPD arriving, they got into a car and drove off, according to police.

After a brief pursuit, the two suspects got into an accident at Tampa and Nordhoff. The driver of the black Mercedes plowed into at least four cars, the Mercedes caught on fire and the two suspects took off running. They were taken into custody a short time later, police said.

Taureno Cruz, who was in one of the cars said the impact was very strong, but he said he wasn't injured.

Joseph Delgato was inside his apartment, heard the crash, and ran out to see his car had been totaled.

The suspects - who were later identified as both black males - and several other bystanders were treated for minor injuries, according to police.