DOWNEY (CNS) - A South Gate man who was arrested three times in less than a month and released twice as a result of the coronavirus pandemic is due in court today on seven felony counts for an alleged crime spree that included a hit-and-run crash and fleeing from police.
Ismael Lopez, 23, of South Gate, is set to appear in a Downey courtroom for arraignment on two counts each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer's vehicle, driving or taking a vehicle without consent and receiving a stolen vehicle, along with one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in injury, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Lopez was initially arrested June 29 by South Gate police for allegedly being in the driver's seat of a stolen van. He was released from jail the next day due to the COVID-19 emergency bail schedule that is aimed at reducing the jail population during the pandemic.
Lopez was arrested again a day later by South Gate police for allegedly taking a person's car without consent and fleeing a pursuing peace officer, according to the District Attorney's Office. He was released from jail the same day.
He also is accused of receiving stolen vehicles on July 10 and on July 20, when he allegedly led police on a pursuit during which he broadsided another vehicle, injuring the driver. He allegedly eventually lost control of the vehicle, fled on foot and was taken into custody that day, prosecutors said.
Lopez, who is jailed in lieu of $270,000 bail, could face up to 12 years in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's Office.