Armed Robbery Suspects Lead Police On Chase Across LA
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Two robbery suspects, including at least one who was armed, led police on a high-speed chase that started in Highland Park and winded into downtown Los Angeles before ending in Echo Park Tuesday afternoon.
The pursuit began around 3:30 p.m. when Los Angeles police responded to a call for a robbery in the 800 block of North Avenue 50 in Highland Park, authorities said.
SKY9 was over the chase as the driver of an SUV was seen jumping curbs, weaving in between cars on surface streets, driving on the wrong side of the roadway and speeding on multiple freeways, including the 5 southbound during rush hour.
The fleeing vehicle nearly hit several pedestrians, including a person in a wheelchair, in downtown before driving off and running through lights.
A pickup truck appeared to try to stop the fleeing SUV in downtown before moving out of the way as the drive erratically sped off.
Officers attempted to use spike strips to slow the vehicle down but were unable to deploy the strips in time.
The driver lost control on Echo Park Avenue near Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park before slamming into an empty bus stop. Both the driver and a passenger ran from the SUV. The driver appeared to attempt a carjacking before leading officers on a brief foot pursuit. The pair was quickly apprehended around 4:45 p.m. – more than an hour after the chase began.
A firearm was recovered from the SUV, police said.
Several vehicles were damaged during the chase. It is not yet clear if anyone was injured.
Watch the full chase below:
