The Region - News from Feb. 25, 1985

Police said a watchful neighbor’s prompt report of a burglary suspect was responsible for the arrest of Earl Martin Wenzel, 37, of Garden Grove after a high-speed auto chase through residential streets in Irvine. Two police cars chased the suspect after spotting him driving a vehicle that matched the description reported by a resident of the Northwood area, said Irvine Police Sgt. Tom Hume. Twice during the pursuit, which reached speeds above 100 m.p.h., police cruisers inadvertently collided with the fleeing auto when it temporarily went out of control, Hume said. Wenzel suffered minor injuries and was arrested after his car was disabled in the second collision, at Irvine Center Drive and Yale Avenue. Wenzel was treated at Tustin Community Hospital, then booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of burglary, with bail set at $25,000.