Chase of Gun-Theft Suspect Clogs Freeway

Traffic on the Riverside Freeway slowed to a crawl through Yorba Linda on Sunday evening when an Irvine man chased down a man who had stolen his handguns in a roadside holdup and forced him at riflepoint to turn over his property, authorities said.

The 5:13 p.m. incident occurred on the freeway at Gypsum Canyon Road in unincorporated Orange County.

No injuries were reported, but the holdup victim fired a shot into the ground to persuade the man and his two companions to turn over his guns, according to Brea police.

Thomas Adcock, 42, whose guns were stolen, and a man identified only as a John Doe were taken into custody by officers. The California Highway Patrol, Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Brea police responded to the incident.

Adcock was released pending further investigation, and the holdup suspect was booked into the Orange County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond on suspicion of grand theft, assault with a deadly weapon and displaying a firearm. His two companions were not taken into custody.

Brea Police Lt. Cliff Trimble said Adcock and a friend in a separate vehicle had stopped to talk under the Gpysum Canyon Road overpass when a car pulled up and three men jumped out.

The men demanded gas money and the man who was later arrested grabbed a pouch containing three handguns out of Adcock’s car, Trimble said.

The man took one of the guns, aimed it at Adcock and pulled the trigger twice, but the weapon did not fire. The three men then jumped into their car and sped away.

Adcock pursued them and pulled over when he spotted them stopped 300 yards down the freeway, Trimble said.

He jumped out with his rifle, confronted the three men and demanded his pistols. When two of the guns were returned, Adcock fired his rifle into the ground demanding the third.

A CHP officer arrived on the scene at that time and called for assistance.

CHP officers at the scene, apparently jittery over the shooting of a CHP patrolman during a traffic stop in Los Angeles on Saturday, brandished shotguns and frisked people entering the area.

A reporter was searched for weapons when he approached the officers to obtain information.

CHP officers guided traffic through the area during the investigation. Westbound traffic backed up for several miles.

Times staff writer Louis Sahagun contributed to this report.