Motorcyclist Steals CHP Cruiser, Carjacks 2 More Drivers During Wild Pursuit That Ends In Mission Viejo
MISSION VIEJO (CBSLA) – A motorcyclist Monday allegedly stole a California Highway Patrol cruiser in Riverside County before he also carjacked a motorist and then stole another vehicle in San Diego County as part of a wild pursuit across three counties before his arrest
in San Juan Capistrano.
The incident began sometime before 10 a.m. when a CHP officer tried to pull over a speeding motorcyclist who wasn't wearing a helmet in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Rancho California Road in Temecula.
The motorcyclist crashed, then somehow carjacked a CHP officer's patrol car. A pursuit ensued, winding its way down into San Diego County.
At one point, the suspect abandoned the SUV and carjacked two more cars on the 15 Freeway, including a Lexus and a Prius.
Carjacking victim Kathleen Navoransky said she initially thought she was helping a man who said he was injured.
"I said, 'no, I don't get out of car', and then he get angry, and then take off my seatbelt, then he hold my head off the car like this way," said. "Throw to the ground...then he just jump in the car, drive the car."
The chase then made its way up north into Orange County, where the suspect - who at this point was driving a Toyota Prius - eventually peacefully surrendered at La Mancha and La Roda in Mission Viejo.
The suspect's name and the exact details of the pursuit were not confirmed.
There were no reported injuries.