18-Year-Old in Stolen-Car Chase Over Several Freeways – With Passengers On Board
Photo: Gabriel Garcia
AZUSA – A teen faces serious charges for last week’s foiled traffic stop. Azusa Police Department Officers made an attempt to detain a reportedly-stolen vehicle on the block of 800 South Cerritos.
The ‘failure to yield’ escalated into a full-on car chase. The night-time vehicle pursuit snaked over city streets, and onto the nearest freeway.
Several freeways later, the teenager stopped in the City of La Puente. As the suspect fled from the vehicle, Officers initiated a foot-pursuit.
A short distance away, the suspect was quickly captured. Officers next turned their attention to the two passengers who’d been taken on a wild ride in the stolen car.
The passengers were detained without incident.
Unfortunately, results of the pursuit included the suspect striking a motorist in the City of El Monte. The stolen car’s driver was ID’d as Gabriel Garcia (18), of La Mirada.
Garcia was arrested and charged with 2800.2VC (felony evading) and 10851(a)VC (driving a stolen vehicle). He was also charged with 20001 VC, (felony hit and run) and 148(a) (1)PC, (resisting arrest), before being booked into Azusa PD Jail.
Azusa Police Detectives urge anyone with further information regarding this incident to give them a call at (626) 812-3200.
