Full Notification

Shortly after 8:30 a.m. today, an officer assigned to the West Valley Area office spotted a black Ford Explorer with paper plates traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour eastbound on U.S. 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills. The officer attempted to stop the driver but he failed to yield and began to elude the officer. Due to the dangerous speed of the suspect driver CHP immediately requested the assistance of an LAPD airship as other CHP units joined the pursuit. At one point during the pursuit the suspect driver appeared to aim the vehicle at a CHP motorcycle unit that had also joined the pursuit but did not hit the officer. Due to heavy traffic the suspect driver exited the freeway at De Soto Avenue and continued to evade pursuing units on city streets. The driver reentered the freeway headed eastbound on U.S. 101 Freeway where he recklessly drove through heavy traffic.

The suspect driver then exited the freeway again at Tampa Ave. and drove onto Ventura Blvd. at a high rate of speed. CHP ground units lost visual of the vehicle and at 8:48 a.m. all CHP units discontinued the pursuit. CHP communications center was then informed an LAPD Air unit was flying over a vehicle matching the same description at Tampa Ave. and Nordhoff St. LAPD followed the vehicle as it traversed Hart St., White Oak Ave., Victory Blvd., Reseda Blvd., and Oxnard St. before entering eastbound U.S. 101 Freeway again. Once on the freeway, CHP units again gave chase to the suspect who was now using the right shoulder to pass slower traffic. The suspect vehicle then exited the freeway at Reseda Ave. Once on Reseda Ave, just south of U.S. 101 Freeway, the suspect rammed two vehicles which caused the suspect vehicle to come to a stop. The driver was apprehended and placed under arrest at 9:22 a.m.

The suspect is a 40-year-old Hispanic male with a home address in Santa Clarita. A check of the suspect revealed he was wanted on two outstanding warrant charges including one for assault with a deadly weapon. LAFD responded to the termination point of the pursuit and transported the suspect to Tarzana Hospital for a medical evaluation.

At this time, CHP is still investigating the reasons why the driver failed to yield for the officer who attempted to stop him for speeding. A check of the vehicle registration revealed the car is not reported as stolen but the registered owner did not match the driver. CHP is attempting to locate the registered owner at this time.

Once released from the hospital the suspect was transported to LAPD Van Nuys Jail where he was booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, felony evading and reckless driving, as well as for the outstanding warrants.