Stolen Vehicle Suspect leads Highway Patrol Officers in pursuit through South Los Angeles and runs dog over in the process. 
On Wednesday, Sept. 17 at approximately 8:55 p.m., CHP officers from the South Los Angeles Area office were involved in pursuit of a reported stolen white Chevrolet Astro van that had initially been pursued by both LAPD and the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept.
Both agencies had discontinued their pursuits and a CHP officer on an unrelated traffic stop later spotted the vehicle in South Los Angeles driving in a reckless manner. The unit initiated the pursuit and was joined by additional CHP-South Los Angeles Area units, including a sergeant who supervised the pursuit.
The supsect vehicle traveresed many residential and business districts throughout south Los Angeles endangering the lives of other motorists, pedestrians and animals.
The supsect vehicle was successfully spiked and pitted, with no damage or injuiries to the public. One patrol vehicle sustained minor damage as a result of performing the Pursuit Intervention Technique. Immediately after the termination at the corner of Mancheser Ave. and Wadsworth Ave., a large crowd gathered in support of the arrestees and taunted the officers on scene. LAPD responded and assisted with crowd crontol as CHP secured the suspect and the passenger and recovered the vehicle.
During the pursuit, a small white dog was struck by the suspect vehicle which was traveling on rims alone after having its tires blown out by a spike strip. The dog, named Gordo, was transported to City of Angels Animal Hospital in Culver City by its owner where it is currently receiving medical attention. Questions about the dog can be directed to the staff of the hospital at (310) 558-6111.
The stolen vehicle driver was identified as Yovany Ervin Rodriguez, a 21-year-orld Hispanic male with a home address in the city of Los Angeles. The passenger was identified as Gwendi Yarubi Valenton, a 26-year-old female with a home address in Bakersfield. Both driver and passenger were both booked at the LASD Inmate Reception Center in downtown L.A. on charges of 10851(a) V.C.- unlawful taking of a vehicle.
Questions about this pursuit can be directed to the South L.A. Public Information Officer Dion Conley at (310) 516-3355.
Address/Location
California Highway Patrol - Southern Division
411 N Central Ave
Glendale, CA 91203
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 818-240-8200