Huntington Beach : After 5-City Chase, Police Arrest Santa Ana Man
A Santa Ana man was jailed early Tuesday after he led Huntington Beach police on a chase through Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Irvine.
Booked into Huntington Beach Jail on suspicion of possessing cocaine, driving under the influence of alcohol, evading arrest and resisting arrest was 29-year-old Michael Patrick Leonard.
Lt. Bill Mamelli said police received a call at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday and responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle and occupant at an address in the southern part of the city.
“Officers responding observed the suspect, and then the vehicle fled,” Mamelli said.
After a 40-minute chase, during which police thought they saw Leonard toss contraband from his car, the suspect was stopped at the corner of Culver Drive and Bryan Avenue in Irvine, Mamelli said.
Leonard attempted unsuccessfully to flee on foot and a small amount of rock cocaine was found in his car, police said.
Leonard was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail, according to Mamelli.
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