La Habra : Robbery Suspect Arrested After Chase and Crash
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A man who reportedly led police on a high-speed chase Friday through red lights as he fired shots from his car was arrested in La Habra after he crashed into another car.
Ralph Frias, 37, of Pico Rivera was booked on suspicion of armed robbery and attempted murder.
Frias is suspected of robbing two Albertson’s grocery stores Friday morning, in Whittier and La Habra, and escaping with $3,000, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Steve Davis. La Habra officers tried to stop a car matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle at 8:52 a.m. near Imperial Highway and Brea Boulevard.
When the driver sped off, the chase began westbound at speeds reaching 80 m.p.h. Davis said the driver fired at least twice at police during the chase.
The suspect eventually rear-ended a car at Euclid Street and Imperial Highway when he apparently found all lanes blocked by traffic, La Habra Police Lt. John Rees said. The crash destroyed the suspect’s car and shoved the other car into a van ahead of it. Frias suffered minor head injuries.
Police Officers Jon Strash and James Tibbits also struck a car during the chase. The crash caused major damage to the police car and minor damage to the other one. No one was seriously injured.
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