Deputy crashes into van containing stolen catalytic converters; Suspects arrested
Three suspects, including a parolee, suffered significant injuries after a Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department SUV crashed into the minivan they were riding in.
Paramedics transported the deputy behind the wheel of the SUV, suffering from minor injuries, to a hospital, according to a watch commander at the sheriff's Santa Clarita Valley station.
Authorities were called to Newhall after receiving a report of a stolen catalytic converter. Deputies caught up to the minivan the suspects were driving and a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit ended at 3:12 a.m. when the vehicle began moving erratically in the area of Lyons Avenue and the Golden State (5) Freeway, where the suspect vehicle left the surface streets.
However, nearly five minutes later, investigators told CBSLA's Tena Ezzeddine that as a deputy was passing through that same intersection, it spotted the suspects' minivan.
The driver of the minivan ran a red light and that's when the sheriff's SUV crashed into the suspects. The suspects attempted to run away from the scene but this time they were unable to get away.
Firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the crash scene at 3:20 a.m., according to a county fire department dispatcher.
"One suspect didn't make it too far he opened the door to the minivan and fell on the ground there due to his injuries. The second one ran about 10 feet and couldn't run any further because of his injuries. The third suspect he ran away a good distance was still in the area and was found later on hiding within a tree somewhere," LA County Sheriffs detective Eddie Saucedo said.
The intersection of Lyons Avenue and the northbound 5 freeway was closed for seven hours as authorities investigated what happened. Authorities discovered eight catalytic converters in the van.
