Man Flees, Captured After Deputies’ Car Hit

Two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies shot at a man who tried to run them down after they attempted to arrest him for exposing himself in the parking lot of a Santa Clarita restaurant, authorities said.

No one was injured and the man, Albert Stephenson III, surrendered to authorities a short time later, Deputy Gabe Ramirez said. Stephenson, 19, of Santa Clarita, was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

Stephenson allegedly exposed himself to patrons of a Taco Bell restaurant in the 18900 block of Soledad Canyon Road about 9:20 p.m. Sunday. When Deputy Susan Vaziri, a four-year veteran, and reserve deputy James Mayfield arrived at the restaurant after calls by patrons, they found Stephenson in a 1980 Ford Thunderbird, Ramirez said.

As Vaziri and Mayfield approached the car, Stephenson tried to drive away, but his car stalled, authorities said. When Vaziri pulled the deputies’ car closer, Stephenson started his car and rammed it into the front of the patrol car, Ramirez said.

Vaziri and Mayfield each fired one round at the car from their 9-millimeter pistols. Both missed.

Stephenson then turned his car around and headed toward Mayfield, who fired two more shots, Ramirez said. Both of those shots also missed.

Vaziri and Mayfield got back into their damaged patrol car and chased Stephenson to a nearby cul-de-sac, where he left his car and ran away, Ramirez said. Helicopters and dogs searched for Stephenson and deputies went to his parents’ house, the address at which the car was registered.

His parents were able to locate him by telephone and persuade him to turn himself in to authorities. He surrendered a short time later at Solamint Road and Dolan Way.