Police Catch Motorist After Hourlong Chase

A Los Angeles man led police on an hourlong car chase from Burbank to Vernon early Friday that ended when he finally stopped his car, ran and was bitten by a police dog, police said.

Cesar Torres, 25, was being held in the Los Angeles County jail ward with minor dog bites, Burbank Police Lt. Art Moody said. Torres will be charged Monday. The charges will include assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer because he apparently tried to run down two Burbank officers before the chase began, Moody said.

Torres was noticed by the officers at 3:34 a.m. when his car stopped at a green light on Olive Avenue near San Fernando Road in Burbank, causing the officers to think he might be drunk, Moody said. When the officers, who were on the sidewalk talking to another motorist, pointed their flashlights at Torres’ car, he sped in their direction in an apparent attempt to run them down, Moody said.

The officers then pursued Torres through Hollywood, East Los Angeles and Downey at speeds of up to 90 m.p.h., with Los Angeles police cars joining the chase, Moody said. Police are trying to determine whether Torres was under the influence of a drug, Moody said.