Suspected Fencing Thief Rams Sheriff's Patrol Car While Fleeing
COMPTON (CBS) — Authorities say a burglary suspect trying to steal metal fencing rammed a sheriff's patrol car twice while trying to get away.
Compton station deputies were called to a construction business in the 2500 block of West Rosecrans Avenue for a burglary in progress, sheriff's Sgt. Douglas Iketani said. The first deputy to arrive tried to detain the two suspects, who were allegedly stealing metal fencing.
Iketani said the suspects jumped into their truck, then accelerated toward the deputy and rammed his patrol car. The suspects backed up, then rammed the patrol car again, forcing the deputy to jump out of the way. The truck then sideswiped the patrol car and fled.
Deputies chased the suspects onto the 105 Freeway, where the suspects stopped in the city of South Gate under the 710 Freeway, along the Los Angeles River bed.
One suspect, Thomas Moctezuma, 46, of Compton, fled on foot but was caught soon after with help from the sheriff's helicopter, Iketani said.
The second suspect, Cesar Chavez, 30, of Los Angeles, stayed in the truck and was taken into custody without incident, he said.
Deputies recovered 25 10-by-8 wrought iron fencing from the truck, which was stolen from the business, Iketani said.
Both suspects were arrested and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, grand theft and felony evading. Both Moctezuma and Chavez are being held on $75,000 bail.
The deputy received minor injuries, Iketani said.
