Man Held After Car Chase Through Yards

A man wanted on a felony warrant led a sheriff’s deputy on a wild auto chase through a Newhall neighborhood Sunday before he struck a telephone pole and was arrested, authorities said.

Dennis Collins, 45, was being held without bail after the two-minute chase, which began at Lyons Avenue and San Fernando Road about 1 p.m., Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jeff Thomas said.

Deputy Chris Christopher was patrolling near Lyons and San Fernando when he saw Collins’ car run a red light. He began to chase the car and the two vehicles headed south on San Fernando, Thomas said. The chase wound through an alley before Collins began driving through the front yards of homes along Walnut Street, striking trash cans and parked cars.

The car crashed into a telephone pole at Walnut and 9th Street. Collins was not injured.

A handgun was found under the seat of Collins’ car.

Collins, an ex-convict, was wanted on a warrant issued by his parole officer. Thomas said he did not know why the warrant was issued or on what charges Collins had been convicted. He was arrested on suspicion of evading arrest and being an ex-convict with a gun.