SIMI VALLEY : Police Trick Nets Auto-Theft Suspect
Simi Valley police tricked an auto-theft suspect into coming out of hiding Saturday when an officer posed as the driver of the getaway car, police said.
Jason Barr, 19, of Fillmore was booked on suspicion of vehicle theft at the East Valley Sheriff’s Station, police said.
Phillip Zingelewicz of Simi Valley called authorities at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday to report that his 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle had been stolen. Police said Zingelewicz chased the stolen car on foot and found it abandoned at Georgette Street and Billie Court.
Police said Zingelewicz described to officers a possible getaway car he had seen cruising the neighborhood. Police said members of the department’s special enforcement unit apprehended the driver of the car, a 1990 Ford Mustang, and took over the wheel.
As the officer in the car drove through the neighborhood, a man ran out and flagged down the vehicle, officials said.
“A couple of coppers jumped out and arrested him,” Sgt. Gordon Weeks said. “He was kind of surprised.”
Police said the getaway driver was detained and released.
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