A man suspected of beating a woman led authorities on a wild pursuit through South Los Angeles and Orange County Wednesday, before ditching his car and running into a 99-Cent store full of customers in Rowland Heights.
California Highway Patrol officers ran in after him after evacuating the store and took him into custody almost three hours after the pursuit started.
Paramedics were seen transporting a female that had been in the passenger seat during the pursuit onto an ambulance.
The South Gate Police Department told KTLA they received reports of a man beating a woman in the vehicle in South Gate and tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver did not yield and officers started chasing him.
During the pursuit, the suspect driver was seen making obscene gestures as he drove erratically through the streets of South Los Angeles with several police cars behind him.
Aerial video from Sky5 showed the vehicle going off the roadway and crashing through a chain fence in the Florence-Firestone unincorporated area of South L.A. before driving through Roosevelt Park as people jumped out the way.
The driver was later seen crossing several lanes to get on the southbound 710 Freeway, then quickly crossing more lanes to take an exit ramp to the 91 Freeway, narrowly escaping a collision with another.
When the driver reached the La Mirada area, he was seen driving on the sidewalk and going against traffic, almost crashing into oncoming vehicles before entering Orange County.
Near Garden Grove, the driver encountered traffic on Brookhurst Street and was seen slowly squeezing by vehicles that moved out the way as he approached.
The vehicle continued going south, weaving through traffic, crossing center dividers and driving onto sidewalks.
Police cars in Huntington Beach blocked opposing traffic at intersections where the suspect driver sped through red traffic light signals.
CHP took over the pursuit about two hours after it started.
The suspect’s vehicle was seen hitting at least one vehicle while stuck in traffic in Garden Grove.
The car started slowing down in Huntington Park and the passenger opened her door in what appeared to be an attempt to get out, but promptly closed it and the car kept going.
The pursuit has continued for more than 2 and a half hours. The passenger could be seen struggling with the driver as the car passed through Huntington Park. The chase is now heading through Monterey Park. https://t.co/2CLKLRBneY pic.twitter.com/FiGxr4dP8X
— KTLA (@KTLA) April 25, 2019
The passenger then suddenly leaned over and tried to grab the wheel from the driver, who started violently beating her away.
At one point, a CHP vehicle attempted a PIT maneuver near Montebello, but it didn’t stop the driver who kept going until he stopped at the store’s parking lot and ran into the store, leaving the female behind in the car.
The woman’s condition was unclear.
Authorities were still chasing the suspect on the Southbound 710 Freeway near Alhambra when Sky 5 left to refuel.
No further details were immediately available.
Pursuit suspect drives through chain fence and into South L.A. park, as people run away. Watch live: https://t.co/2CLKLRBneY pic.twitter.com/bGyVNkuewh
— KTLA (@KTLA) April 25, 2019
Pursuit suspect crosses several lanes ahead of other drivers to hop on SB 710 Freeway Watch live: https://t.co/2CLKLRBneY pic.twitter.com/qfZCs48dpQ
— KTLA (@KTLA) April 25, 2019
Pursuit suspect narrowly misses Jeep while driving recklessly through O.C. intersection. Watch live: https://t.co/2CLKLRBneY pic.twitter.com/85nVWsXlPt
— KTLA (@KTLA) April 25, 2019