Domestic Violence Suspect Subdued By Police With Taser After Long Pursuit
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A man suspected of domestic violence led police Friday on a long pursuit that began in Orange County and continued on the 405 Freeway before ending with his arrest in Venice Beach.
The pursuit began when the man in a Ford Expedition refused to pull over after an apparent failure to yield near Hawthorne.
He drove north on the 405 and made his way towards Venice Beach. He finally pulled over into a parking lot.
Hundreds of beachgoers watched the incident play out. Tourists at popular Venice Beach saw a scene out of a Hollywood movie or TV cop drama with guns drawn, sirens blaring and helicopters flying overhead.
As could only happen in Hollywood, a film crew was right next door to where the chase came to an end.
Said one man, "I was like, are you sure this isn't part of the movie. It's LA or Hollywood, I guess everyone here just thinks it's everyday stuff."
CBS2/KCAL9's Brittney Hopper said it was a spectacle.
CHP drew their weapons as the man, shirtless and barefoot, exited the vehicle and began walking backwards towards from the officers.
They subdued the suspect -- now identified as 28-year-old Austin Joseph Hall -- using a Taser just before 1:10 p.m.
Hall ran right past tourist T.J. Long from Minnesota, "To me, shirtless guy, he was in wet suit trunks, seemed to be unarmed. So yeah, I'm definitely glad they chose to Tase him rather than shoot him."
The suspect was taken into custody without further incident. Hall was first transported to a hospital where he was checked out. As of 11 p.m. Friday, Hall remained behind bars.
