Clown’s Act Has Unhappy Ending--Auto Theft Charge
A red-nosed, red-shoed, red-wigged clown “of the Bozo variety” stole a car early Sunday after performing a clown act for family members, then led police on a 35-minute, high-speed chase, officers said.
After finishing a routine at his nephew’s party about 1 a.m., Juan Gutierrez, 22, called his girlfriend to pick him up, Los Angeles police said.
When she refused, Gutierrez allegedly stole a 1977 Chevy Caprice parked near the family gathering.
Just as Gutierrez stole the car, said Officer A.B. Gordon, police began their pursuit in the 100 block of North Mariposa Avenue.
But the comic figure quickly became a fugitive, speeding away as fast as 65 mph along city streets and the Hollywood and Pasadena freeways, Gordon said. The chase ended in front of the girlfriend’s house in Highland Park, where Gutierrez surrendered. No one was injured.
“He appeared to be drinking,” Gordon said. “But he wasn’t a very happy clown when we caught him.”
Gutierrez was arrested on suspicion of auto theft.
The clown nose, shoes and wig will be returned to him after he is released from custody.
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