Man in Stolen Soda Truck Leads Police on Two-Hour Valley Chase

Adding to the playbook of Los Angeles police pursuits, a man led officers on a televised chase Friday that was notable less for its outcome than for what the pursued was driving: a 15-ton 7-Up delivery truck.

The man allegedly stole the truck from a West Hills market before leading California Highway Patrol and LAPD officers on a two-hour trek up and down freeways and through city streets in the San Fernando Valley.

The man, identified by police as John Butner, was found hiding in a tree and was arrested without incident at a Northridge apartment complex near where he allegedly abandoned the truck.

Despite numerous close calls and at least two collisions during the chase, no one was injured.

“I am feeling very lucky,” said Mary Bolduan of Encino, who had just pulled out of a bank parking lot at Balboa Boulevard and Parthenia Street when her car plowed into the truck.

“I didn’t see him. It happened so fast,” Bolduan said minutes after the crash. “I am shaking.”

Butner, 29, allegedly stole the truck about 9 a.m. when it was parked outside the West Hills Market in the 23700 block of Roscoe Boulevard, the keys still in the ignition.

Los Angeles police saw the stolen beverage truck about 10 a.m. and chased it.

The driver initially led officers up the Golden State Freeway to the northbound Antelope Valley Freeway, then south toward downtown, and eventually back to the San Fernando Valley. He then took surface streets in Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, Pacoima and finally Northridge.

During tight turns, bottles of 7-Up flew from the truck’s cargo bays like missiles, their contents exploding onto the street.

The chase ended as the driver barreled past students at Napa Street Elementary School and crashed into an iron fence.

He then jumped from the truck and ran past startled children and parents into an apartment complex, where he took up temporary residence last month with his mother-in-law.

Ana Medina said she was just getting home with a bagful of groceries when she saw a man running through her living room.

“I was scared,” she said. “At first, I thought he was a robber.” Then she recognized him as the father of two of her grandchildren.

From the first-floor bedroom window, he scrambled into a nearby tree. Guided by residents, police eventually spotted Butner, who quickly gave up, neighbors said.

“I know I shouldn’t laugh about this, but I can’t help it,” said Deputy Chief Michael J. Bostic, who heads the LAPD’s Valley operations. “We’re just glad no one was hurt.”

Butner, who police said had been previously arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto and weapons violations, will be charged with grand theft auto, felony evading and felony hit and run in Friday’s incident, said Lt. Anthony Alba.

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Times staff writer Karima A. Haynes contributed to this story.