Man Wanted In 2 Counties Leads Police On Pursuit Along State Beach

PISMO BEACH (CBSLA.com) - A Bakersfield man wanted in two counties faces felony charges for leading police on a wild high-speed pursuit that ended on the sands of a California state beach.

Authorities say Joshua Anthony Jordan, 38, was fleeing from police and San Luis Obispo County sheriff's deputies Wednesday afternoon when he drove through downtown Pismo Beach and then onto the Oceano Dunes state beach.

State Park Rangers then joined the beachfront pursuit at speeds up to around 40 miles per hour, according to sheriff's officials.

Just after 4 p.m., authorities say Jordan's white Lexus became stuck in the sand. In an attempt to evade officials, Jordan jumped out the car and ran into the ocean, where he was taken into custody at gunpoint, authorities said.

One witness, Jeremy Moore, caught the bizarre scene on camera and posted it to social media.

Authorities say Jordan - who was wanted in San Benito County for making felony criminal threats and in Kern County on a no bail warrant for a parole violation - was transported to county jail.

He faces new charges of felony willful cruelty to a child with possible injury or death because "families and children were playing on the beach and had to run for safety to avoid being hit", sheriff's officials said.

Jordan also faces a charge of felony evading a peace officer in a reckless manner.