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Local News in Brief : Theft Suspect Caught After 50-Minute Chase

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Los Angeles police Sunday arrested a suspected thief who led officers on a 50-minute chase at moderate speeds from Santa Monica to Sylmar.

Police began pursuing Calvin McElroy, 46, in Santa Monica after he was suspected of stealing clothes from a local boutique, said Santa Monica Police Lt. Barney Melekian. McElroy ignored police demands that he stop and traveled on Santa Monica residential streets to the San Diego Freeway.

McElroy drove north on the freeway, turned east on the Ventura Freeway, then headed south on the Hollywood Freeway. He got off the freeway in Hollywood, doubled back and headed north on the Hollywood Freeway.

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During the chase, McElroy never drove at high speeds, going about 35 m.p.h. on residential streets and 55 to 65 m.p.h. on the freeways, Melekian said. “He just didn’t want to stop.”

No injuries were reported during the chase, though McElroy did collide with a police car, causing minor damage.

Officers caught up with the car at Yarnell Street on the Foothill Freeway, when McElroy pulled over and surrendered, police said.

McElroy, of Los Angeles, was taken to Santa Monica and charged with robbery, burglary and various traffic violations.

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