GARDEN GROVE : Car Chase Leaves Trail of Damage

A police pursuit of a stolen car, which reached speeds of nearly 100 m.p.h. on city streets, Thursday left at least six vehicles damaged and led to the arrest of two men, authorities said.

The chase ended at Trask Avenue, east of Brookhurst Street, when a police cruiser rammed the stolen Mazda RX7, which had already hit four other vehicles, including another police car.

Police arrested the driver, Joseph Luna, 25, of West Covina, and his cousin, Robert Luna, 23, of Victorville, on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle; felony evasion of a police officer; assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer; and possession of burglary tools. They were being held at County Jail.

The chase began just after 2 p.m. when Officer Chris Wasinger noticed the vehicle, which had been reported stolen at 11 a.m. in Covina, near Chapman Avenue and Harbor Boulevard.

Lt. John Woods said the Mazda accelerated, going up and down Haster Street after making a high-speed U-turn. Woods said Wasinger lost track of the Mazda on Garden Grove Boulevard.

Officer Dave Scroggins picked up the Mazda on Euclid Street, and the chase began anew. But this time, the Mazda struck at least three vehicles while attempting to evade the officer. Minutes later, police said, the Mazda struck a fourth vehicle and then hit a police vehicle driven by another officer.

Scroggins then hit the Mazda from behind, boxing it in.

Joseph Luna, who police said was released recently from federal probation, attempted to flee the trapped Mazda and was arrested. Robert Luna, the passenger, was taken into custody in the car.

No serious injuries were reported.