Police Ram Van to End Chase Through Burbank

A man who allegedly shot at police during a high-speed, predawn chase through Burbank neighborhoods Tuesday was arrested after a squad car rammed his van and police fired six shots into it.

No one was injured.

The van’s driver, identified as Charles W. Gibbs Jr., 42, address unknown, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer and was being held without bail in Burbank Jail, Burbank Police Lt. Jay Farrand said.

Police first encountered Gibbs about 3 a.m. when he asked an officer for directions to a hospital, Farrand said. The officer gave him directions, but saw him again about an hour later sitting in a van outside St. Joseph Medical Center at Buena Vista Street near Olive Avenue, Farrand said.

When the officer noticed that the van’s registration had expired and asked for some identification, Gibbs tossed a wallet in his face and sped off, Sgt. Don Brown said.

At least six patrol cars joined the chase, which wound through residential streets in Burbank, North Hollywood and back to Burbank, Brown said.

As he drove, the man fired two rounds at pursuing officers, shooting out the back window of the van, Brown said. He was apprehended after a squad car rammed his van at Olive and Pass avenues, several blocks from where the chase began, and officers fired six rounds into the sides of the vehicle, Brown said.

Hospital officials told police that they had treated Gibbs for a stab wound and that he became apprehensive when nurses inquired whether police had been notified of his injury.

Officers found a blood-soaked T-shirt in the van but had not determined if it belonged to Gibbs, Farrand said.