Chase Ends on Harbor Freeway With Suspect Wounded by Police

A Lawndale man being chased by a Torrance police officer early Wednesday along the side of the Harbor Freeway was shot and wounded after he turned toward the officer in a threatening manner, police said.

The officer’s bullet grazed Louie Carbajal, 29, on the side of his head, Torrance Police Lt. Wally Murker said. Carbajal was not armed when he was wounded, but officers said that a search of his car turned up a pistol, a large amount of money, narcotics paraphernalia and stereo equipment.

Carbajal, who was booked on suspicion of robbery, possession of stolen property, narcotics violations and parole violations, was treated at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and released, Murker said.

The incident took place after 12:40 a.m., when officers tried to stop a 1979 Cadillac at 178th and Wilton streets in Torrance. The vehicle was being driven erratically, police said. When the driver refused to stop, officers chased the car at speeds up to 110 m.p.h., eventually onto the southbound Harbor Freeway.

After the car crashed into a barrier on the freeway’s Torrance Boulevard exit, Carbajal jumped out and ran across freeway traffic lanes, Murker said.

When Carbajal abruptly stopped and turned in a crouching position toward his pursuers, one officer fired.

Also arrested at the scene was Toni Annette Kesky, 25, a passenger in the Cadillac.