SIMI VALLEY : 3 Held After Officer Fires Shot in Pursuit

Simi Valley police have arrested two Los Angeles-area men and a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle after a brief pursuit and foot chase during which an officer shot at one of the men.

No one was injured in the incident, which marked the first officer-involved shooting in Simi Valley since December, 1991.

Michael Cratch, the 23-year-old officer who fired his gun, has been placed on paid leave while the shooting is investigated.

According to police, the incident began about 11:30 p.m. Thursday when Cratch tried to stop a white Chevrolet Suburban for driving erratically.

The driver of the Suburban sped up, turning north on Stearns Street, west on Barnard Street, then stopping east of Kadota Street.

During the chase, Cratch saw a metal object thrown from the vehicle and suspected it was a handgun.

Police now believe the object was actually a beer can, said Sgt. Mike King.

After the vehicle stopped, two men jumped out and ran into a field. Cratch chased the two men and fired one shot from his 9-millimeter gun as one of the suspects abruptly turned toward him, King said.

According to police, Cratch thought the suspect was armed, but no guns have been found in the field or on any of the suspects.

Officers arriving for backup captured 23-year-old Paul Morre of Panorama City a quarter of a mile from the scene of the shooting. The other man who fled the car has not been found.

Also arrested on suspicion of auto theft were Gevorg Gouyoumjian, 22, of Arleta and a 15-year-old boy from Canoga Park. Both Gouyoumjian and the boy remained in the stolen vehicle after the pursuit.

The Suburban was reported stolen from Los Angeles on Sunday.