High-Speed Car Chase Ends With Crash, Gunfire, Arrests

A man accused of shooting at Buena Park police during a late-night car chase and his alleged accomplice were arrested after crashing into an Anaheim restaurant, authorities said Wednesday.

James Allen Gamache, 33, and Melissa Doran, 19, were arrested after a pursuit that began in Buena Park and ended on West La Palma Avenue near North Brookhurst Street about 10:35 p.m. Tuesday. The stolen car they were in crashed into El Patio restaurant, Buena Park Police Sgt. Chris Nunez said.

Buena Park police had been searching for Doran, who was wanted on a burglary warrant in Los Angeles, when plainclothes detectives spotted her and Gamache in a white compact car, Nunez said. Officers first tried to stop the pair on Beach Boulevard.

With Doran driving, the car sped onto the Riverside Freeway eastbound at nearly 100 miles an hour, Nunez said, while Gamache fired shots at the pursuing officers. No one was wounded.

The car exited the freeway at Lemon Street and went west on La Palma Avenue, where it lost a tire, Nunez said. The pair abandoned the car and ordered the driver of a red Toyota Celica, stopped at an intersection, to get out of his car, and they sped off again, Nunez said. Police pursued and Gamache continued firing at them, he said.

The car had gone about 200 yards when it was struck by a Buena Park patrol car and forced off the pavement and into the Mexican restaurant, Nunez said.

Gamache continued to fire at police, who returned fire, wounding him in the shoulder, Nunez said. Doran had abrasions to the face, possibly from the crash or from breaking glass, authorities said.

The two were taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange, then transported to the Anaheim City Jail, Nunez said.

Anaheim Police Sgt. Joe Vargas said they face numerous charges, including attempted murder, carjacking and evading arrest.

Arraignment is set for Friday.