Police Chase, Arrest Parolee Suspected in Home Robbery
After a car and foot chase, Los Angeles police arrested a parolee on Tuesday who was wanted in a recent home-invasion robbery, authorities said.
Detectives from the West Valley Division spotted Jaime Zepeda, 23, sitting in the passenger seat of a white older-model Chevrolet traveling in the area of Tampa Avenue and Lassen Street in Northridge, said Officer John Dunlop. The detectives, in plainclothes and an unmarked car, followed the Chevrolet for several miles until the driver turned into a dead end at Delco Avenue and Stagg Street.
Zepeda fled, Dunlop said, climbed a nearby fence and ran through backyards. He eluded police for about 20 minutes, dropping a pistol and removing his shirt and pants, Dunlop said. He came out of a backyard wearing only a tank top and undershorts and attempted to walk past police unnoticed.
Detectives approached him and Zepeda again fled, Dunlop said. Uniformed officers eventually caught him in the 20400 block of Arminta Street. Police found his clothes and a 9-millimeter handgun in a backyard.
Zepeda, arrested on suspicion of armed robbery, was being held Tuesday night at Van Nuys Jail.
Police also are questioning Zepeda about an auto theft.
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