PALMDALE : Man Arrested After Shooting, Car Chase
A Palmdale man was in custody Friday after allegedly taking a car at gunpoint and leading police on a high-speed chase that left three deputies injured and two patrol cars totaled, authorities said.
Jason Burdette, 23, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he ran into a ditch at 40th Street East and Avenue S on Thursday night, ending the pursuit.
The incident began when Burdette allegedly approached a woman checking her mail at 3rd Street East and Barrel Springs Road and demanded her car keys at gunpoint. The woman threw the keys away and flagged down a passing car. Police said Burdette fired a shot that grazed the driver, and the driver and the woman both fled.
Unable to find the keys, Burdette allegedly ran to nearby park-and-ride lot and, at gunpoint, obtained the keys to a security guard’s vehicle and sped away.
Two deputies spotted Burdette and gave chase. When the car ran into the ditch, both deputies followed, with one patrol car rear-ending the other, authorities said. Both deputies and the driver of the car who came to the woman’s rescue were treated at local hospitals for minor injuries and released.
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.
