VENICE (CNS) - At least once person was arrested today following a nearly hourlong California Highway Patrol pursuit from Orange County to Venice Beach, where a man wearing a green wig and a clown mask attracted a crowd of followers before his arrest.
The pursuit began about 2:50 p.m. on the northbound San Diego (405) Freeway when CHP officers noticed a dark sedan driven recklessly in Orange County, CHP Officer Stephan Brandt said.
The car continued north on the 405, slowing for traffic, until transitioning to the Marina del Rey (90) Freeway, then got off at Lincoln Boulevard, and proceeding on Washington Boulevard and Pacific Avenue before stopping at the boardwalk, Brandt said.
News helicopters overhead showed the man in the green wig standing through the car's sunroof toward the end of the pursuit with a passenger apparently holding the steering wheel while the car moved at a slow speed, he said.
News video showed the suspect getting out and running down the boardwalk, jumping a wall and walking on the sand as beachgoers looked on. He stopped to help a man who was covering another man with sand and got a “high five” for his efforts.
Many in the beach crowd began following the suspect until he got to the water, and they surrounded him while Los Angeles police and CHP officers arrived.
People stayed behind the suspect while police officers drew weapons and CHP officers prepared to use a Taser on him, finally moving when ordered by law enforcement.
At about 3:45 p.m., the suspect removed his shirt and dropped his colorful jacket before kneeling on the sand, then lying prone for arrest.
Only the man with the green wig was arrested, Brandt said. The passenger apparently remained in the car and did not face arrest, he said.