Lengthy Police Pursuit Of Possible Stolen Vehicle Ends In Florence

SOUTH LA (CBSLA.com) — Police were in pursuit of a possible stolen vehicle traveling at high speeds in South Los Angeles on Tuesday evening.

The pursuit began at 6:40 p.m., heading westbound on the 105 freeway in Norwalk, with the vehicle being a red four-door.

The suspect initially led sheriff's cruisers through the Lakewood area, at which point California Highway Patrol units took over the pursuit.

The suspect got on the 110 freeway, heading north at 6:50 p.m., and was reported to be driving on the freeway's shoulder, due to heavy traffic.

In South LA, the suspect exited the freeway and took to surface streets.

There was reported to be a female driver and a male passenger in the vehicle.

The vehicle hit police-deployed spike strips at 7:05, shortly after exiting a shopping center parking lot, flattening at least one of its front tires.

LAPD became involved in the pursuit at 7:17 p.m., following the vehicle both on the ground and in the air.

The passenger began throwing items out of the vehicle.

Officers began pit maneuvers shortly after 7:30 p.m, as the pursuit proceeded into the area of Florence. The driver appeared to be switching consistently between busy streets and residential blocks.

The vehicle came to a stop at 7:53 p.m. at which point the male passenger exited, looked as though he may surrender, and then ran into a neighborhood.

After hopping a fence and running across several streets, he was taken into custody, and was taken to a local hospital.

The female driver exited the idle vehicle at 7:55 p.m. and was complying with police orders. She was subsequently taken into custody.

A large crowd gathered around the scene shortly after the pursuit came to an end.

"It's very upsetting, they could have stopped," witness Fabian Guillermo said. "They could have stopped and thought about other peoples' lives."