Suspect in Orange County freeway standoff denies wrongdoing
A man accused of transporting drugs and clipping two cars during an hours-long police chase from Compton to Anaheim last week pleaded not guilty Tuesday to eight felonies and two misdemeanors, prosecutors said.
John Raymond Lopez, 25, was arrested Thursday after fleeing police who had tried to stop the black Mercedes-Benz he was driving because it was suspected of being involved in a shooting in Compton.
Instead of stopping, Lopez sped off, prosecutors said. He hit at least two cars and injured one driver as he drove in and out of traffic toward Anaheim on the 91 Freeway, authorities said.
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The California Highway Patrol used a spike strip to slow down the vehicle. The subsequent standoff lasted for hours and ended only when police fired tear gas into the car and pulled Lopez out, officials said.
He was allegedly carrying drugs and the car had been rented to someone else, authorities said.
On Monday, Lopez was charged with two counts of transporting a controlled substance for sale, one count each of possession of a cocaine base, possession of a controlled substance, assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing a peace officer while driving recklessly, driving a vehicle without consent, hit and run causing injury, hit and run causing property damage, and driving with a suspended license from a previous DUI.
He has a previous conviction for assaulting a peace officer, according to authorities.
Lopez is being held in lieu of $110,000 bail. He’s due back in court for a preliminary hearing on May 26.
He faces up to seven years in prison on the current charges, prosecutors said.
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