A burglary suspect is in custody after leading authorities on a vehicle chase Saturday morning that began in Garden Grove and ended in El Monte, where police were able to disable his vehicle.
Garden Grove police officers spotted a vehicle speeding at 4:10 a.m. and were later informed that a burglary had just occurred at Papa Wheelie Bicycles at 6949 Chapman Ave., said Garden Grove Police Lt. Carl Whitney.
“While fleeing from officers, the suspect called 911 and claimed he had a firearm and was threatening to shoot officers,” Whitney said.
The suspect stopped on the northbound San Gabriel River (605) Freeway in Downey and when he refused to get out his vehicle, a “less than lethal weapon was utilized to break out the rear windows of the suspect’s vehicle, along with a spike strip.”
The vehicle continued on the 605 Freeway and became disabled in El Monte.
“A chemical agent was deployed into the suspect vehicle and the suspect surrendered and was taken in custody,” he said. “Stolen property from the business was located inside the suspect vehicle.”
The suspect was later identified as Joe Richard Wijnaendts, 50, Whitney said.
Wijnaendts was arrested on suspicion of commercial burglary, vehicle pursuit and barricade, he said, and booked into the Orange County Jail.