A suspect in a van reported stolen led members of the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol on a chase in South Los Angeles Wednesday night.
The chase began about 8 p.m. around Los Angeles International Airport. The driver went at high speeds, as high as 100 mph, drove without lights, went the wrong way, and nearly hit some pedestrians.
The driver had a passenger on board in what appeared to be an older model Chevrolet Astrovan.
It appeared the driver was talking to people on the streets and knew the territory. He wove in and around Manchester Avenue for much of the chase.
The sheriff’s department began the pursuit. It was then handled by the LAPD and CHP. For a while, the agencies pulled back in an attempt to get the driver to slow down.
Just before 9 p.m., police unsuccessfully attempted to use a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle.
The chase continued despite the van having at least three flat tires.
A second PIT maneuver appeared to be successful, but he kept going. At one point lots of sparks were seen coming from the vehicle, but still he kept driving, even though there was lots of smoke coming out to it. At 9:06 p.m., he hit a dog.
On the third PIT maneuver, the van came to a stop. Officers had their guns out and a female emerged, and then the driver, a male, was taken into custody.
— City News Service