Burglary Suspects Captured After Nearly 2-Hour Chase

Two burglary suspects led sheriff’s deputies on a nearly two-hour closed-circle pursuit Monday afternoon, driving at high speeds and on the wrong side of the road before they were apprehended near where the chase began, authorities said.

After a 3:15 p.m. garage burglary on the 43000 block of 41st Street in Lancaster, deputies spotted what they believed to be the thieves’ getaway pickup truck. When the suspects refused to pull over, the deputies gave chase, following the men through city streets, then south on canyon roads into Angeles National Forest, authorities said.

The California Highway Patrol joined the pursuit as it entered Santa Clarita and then headed north on the Antelope Valley Freeway. CHP officers, sheriff’s deputies and a helicopter unit followed the truck onto the northbound Antelope Valley Freeway, through Acton and into Palmdale.

The truck collided with another car at Palmdale Boulevard and Sierra Highway, but drove on through Palmdale and back into Lancaster. The chase ended at 30th street and Avenue L-6 when the truck stopped and the passenger got out and ran, said Sgt. Gil Arce.

The driver, a 17-year-old Lancaster boy, stayed behind. His name was not released because of his age. The passenger, later identified as Keith White, 27, of Lancaster, was captured nearby, Arce said. Both were arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto, burglary and felony evading law enforcement.

Deputies said the truck was found to have been stolen in Palmdale earlier in the day. In the truck, they found a stolen air compressor and bicycle, which were returned to their owner.