Officers Arrest 2 Robbery Suspects After Freeway Chase

A San Pedro couple led sheriff’s deputies in 15 patrol cars on a chase throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties Friday, during which they swerved in and out of traffic and threw stolen money out the windows, authorities said.

Frederico Macias, 38, and Josie Macias, 36, were arrested on suspicion of armed robbery after the 20-minute chase ended when their pickup truck lost a tire, law enforcement officials said.

Los Angeles Sheriff Lt. Ed Thatcher said the chase began about 12 p.m. shortly after a robbery report at a Bank of America in Santa Fe Springs.

A spokeswoman with the California Highway Patrol said that 15 patrol cars were involved in the pursuit, which went east and west on the Garden Grove Freeway “a couple of times.”

“This guy was right behind me. . . . I moved over to the right and he sped by and was followed by a police car, then another and another and soon there were more than 10,” said Cherie Kerr, who was traveling on the Garden Grove Freeway. “I’m not exaggerating.”

The couple began throwing out bills on the Garden Grove Freeway. Thatcher did not know how much money was stolen or recovered.

“I believe several citizens were seen stopping on the freeway and picking up samples,” Thatcher said. “One of the bills was embedded in one of the lead police cars’ grill,” he added.

Authorities captured the couple at Valley View Street in Garden Grove.