RIVERSIDE (CNS) - A pursuit that began in Anaheim and topped speeds of 100 mph as the suspect tried to elude authorities in three counties came to a end today when the driver abandoned the vehicle in Jurupa Valley and ran into a business, where he was taken into custody.
According to Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt, an officer spotted a dark-colored Toyota Camry shortly before noon and determined that it had a stolen license plate -- leading police to speculate that the Camry itself had been stolen. The officer tried to pull over the driver, who responded by speeding away at speeds that topped 100 mph.
The driver got onto the eastbound 91 Freeway and sped into Riverside County and into the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino County, before he turned around and drove back into the Riverside area. At times the agitated driver -- who apparently had a passenger in the vehicle -- tossed items out of the window as he drove.
He occasionally drove on the wrong side of the street, dodged two attempted PIT maneuvers and negotiated around traffic as he circled streets in Riverside County, ultimately winding up in Jurupa Valley, where he came to a stop in the 3400 block of Grapevine and ran from the car and through the parking lot of an industrial building.
A female passenger got out of the Camry and jumped into the back seat of a ``lookie-loo's car,'' Wyatt said. That car continued for about 50 yards but stopped alongside the car of a videographer who was following the chase and urged the people in the other vehicle to surrender.
The female suspect who had jumped into the car then got out and ``proned herself out'' as police arrived, Wyatt said.
Riverside County sheriff's deputies set up a perimeter and found the male driver in the rear of the building, where he was arrested, Wyatt said.
The male suspect was under the influence of drugs and was taken to a hospital to be evaluated, Wyatt said.
Meanwhile, authorities began following the car Wyatt referred to as a ``lookie-loo'' vehicle amid initial concern that the original suspect was inside that vehicle.
That driver pulled over in the Colton area and surrendered to authorities, who later determined they had no role in the chase and had not committed any crime. The couple had an infant in their vehicle strapped in a car seat.
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