Suspect Found Dead in Car Is Identified
Police identified a man who apparently shot himself to death on the Santa Ana Freeway Tuesday night after he allegedly robbed a store and led officers on a chase.
Gregory A. Gistlinck, 21, of Anaheim apparently robbed the same store--Quad Stationers in the Anaheim Plaza--on Monday night as well, said Joe Karns, an Anaheim police watch commander.
“He robbed it Monday night and came back Tuesday and apologized” while robbing the store again, Karns said.
As the suspect was getting into his red pickup, he fired two or three shots at a security guard who was pursuing him, Karns said. The security guard was not injured.
The suspect drove north on the freeway with police cars and a helicopter not far behind. He left the freeway at Crescent Avenue and collided with a car, Karns said. The driver of the car was not hurt.
The suspect then drove back onto the freeway for a few miles before crashing into a center divider, Karns said. Minutes later, police found Gistlinck slumped over his seat, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
Gistlinck was taken to Martin Luther Hospital in Anaheim where he died, Karns said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
