2 CHP Officers Struck By Attempted Robbery Suspect During Pursuit From Laguna Hills To Solana Beach

LAGUNA HILLS (CBSLA) – A wild pursuit involving an attempted robbery suspect in Laguna Hills finally came to an end in northern San Diego County early Thursday morning, but not before the suspect struck and injured two California Highway Patrol officers and a third officer fired gunshots.

The incident began at around 4:20 a.m., when Orange County Sheriff's deputies spotted a Dodge Charger which had been reported to have been involved in a possible attempted robbery.

Sheriff's officials initially reported that there had been no robbery, but later reversed course and stated that an attempted robbery had in fact occurred. OCSD spokesperson Carrie Braun told CBS2 the suspect had attempted to rob a Chevron gas station in the 24700 block of Alicia Parkway in Laguna Hills. The suspect, armed with gun, started to hold up a cashier, but then became spooked when customers entered the store, and he ran off.

"I believe the subject was just surprised or startled by the other customers, and just fled the area," sheriff's Lt. Matthew Stiverson told CBS2.

Deputies spotted the suspect's Charger on the southbound 5 Freeway at Alicia Parkway and a pursuit ensued, with CHP officers eventually taking over the chase.

The pursuit wound its way down to San Diego County. According to CBS affiliate KFMB, the driver exited the freeway at Lomas Santa Fe Drive at around 5 a.m.

At some point, the car struck two CHP officers who were putting out spike strips, KFMB reports. A third officer fired gunshots, but no one was wounded by the gunfire.

"Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, like six or eight of them," a neighbor told reporters.

The driver eventually crashed the car at an intersection in Solana Beach and ran away on foot. However, he was caught and arrested at around 6:10 a.m., KFMB reports.

The two officers were taken to local hospitals with moderate injuries, KFMB reports. They are expected to be OK. The suspect was also transported by ambulance to a hospital. His gun was recovered at the incident.

The exact details of the robbery, along with how the suspect was captured, were not immediately released. Detectives are also investigated whether he was involved in a prior road rage incident.