DANA POINT : Man Arrested After 55-Mile Car Chase
A 38-year-old Dana Point man was arrested Thursday after leading sheriff’s deputies on a winding, 55-mile chase from Dana Point to Irvine.
Sheriff’s Lt. Richard J. Olson said deputies tried to stop Bruce Murphy Pickrell after they spotted him at the intersection of Coast Highway and Del Obispo Street in Dana Point driving a motor home that had been reported stolen.
But when officers tried to pull the suspect over, he continued onto Interstate 5.
Pickrell drove south to San Clemente, then doubled back and headed north on Interstate 5 through San Juan Capistrano to Coast Highway. He later circled the streets of Laguna Beach and Irvine, where he drove through orange groves.
Pickrell was finally stopped after turning into a cul-de-sac on Saratoga in Irvine. He was arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence, reckless driving and evading an officer.
Olson added that the suspect appeared to be injecting cocaine while the chase was in progress.
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