Theft Suspect Arrested After 15-Mile Chase
Burbank police arrested a suspected purse snatcher who led them on a 15-mile chase in a stolen car on city streets and freeways at speeds up to 115 m.p.h. before crashing in Silver Lake, officers said Friday.
Edward Gonzalez, 27, of Los Angeles was held in Burbank Jail on suspicion of attempted robbery, robbery and reckless driving, Burbank police said. He is scheduled for arraignment Monday in Burbank Municipal Court.
The chase started about 8:45 p.m. Thursday when a Burbank motorcycle officer saw a woman screaming for help in the parking lot of the Sizzler restaurant at North Hollywood Way and Chandler Boulevard, Burbank Police Sgt. Doyle Holm.
A man tried to snatch a purse from the woman and fled in a car, Holm said.
“The woman said that he came up behind her and tried to grab the purse,” Holm said. “She wouldn’t give up the purse even though he dragged her for three feet. Then she chased him, screaming for help.”
The driver sped down city streets, hitting one car, and then headed east on the Ventura Freeway, south on the Golden State Freeway and south on the Glendale Freeway, getting off at Glendale Boulevard, Holm said.
The driver crashed at Glendale and Fargo Street, then fled on foot, Holm said. Gonzalez was arrested several blocks away, he said.
The car had been taken by force from its owner in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, Holm 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.
