Manhunt underway for parolee who led LAPD on hours-long pursuit
LOS ANGELES -- A manhunt is underway for a parolee-at-large wanted for child abduction after authorities say he led them on an hours-long pursuit in motorhome Tuesday before getting stuck in an orchard, CBS Los Angeles reports. The suspect, described as a 46 year-old Caucasian male, is a registered sex offender out of the state of Oregon who was on parole for a sex offense, according to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Major Crimes Bureau.
Two children were found safe and uninjured, according to the spokesperson.
The agency stated in a press release a vehicle pursuit began at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the Mid City/Wilshire district area. The pursuit picked up on surface streets in North Hollywood, eventually continuing northbound on the 5 Freeway through the Newhall Pass into Santa Clarita and north of Castaic. By 5 p.m. the suspect had made his way to State Route 99, heading toward Bakersfield.
KBAK reports the driver proceeded onto surface streets and stopped just before 6 p.m. at the edge of an almond orchard.
According to the outlet, the driver spoke with law enforcement during the pursuit and indicated he was traveling with two children, insisting he would not stop until he could hand them over to their mother.
A spokesperson for the LASD stated the suspect's two children, ages three years and 11 months, were believed to be inside the motorhome during the chase.
A manhunt was underway following a stand-off with the suspect.
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