Teen Held After Police Chase in Santa Ana
Santa Ana police arrested a teenage boy who allegedly rammed into a patrol cruiser before leading authorities on a brief car chase in a stolen sport-utility vehicle, officials said Wednesday.
About 10 p.m. Tuesday, officers were called to the 100 block of Jackson Street after residents heard gunshots. When two officers went to check the area, they spotted the teen driving a 1980s Chevrolet Suburban that authorities said had been reported stolen.
When the officers tried to pull him over, the teen reversed gear and rammed a patrol car, causing moderate damage, police said. Santa Ana Police Sgt. Carlos Rojas said an officer fired several shots at the teen because he feared for his life.
The boy, who was not struck by the shots, then led police on a brief chase that ended at Newhope Street and McFadden Avenue when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into two police cars, officials said.
The youth, who was not identified because he is a minor, was arrested and is being held at Juvenile Hall on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, possession of a stolen car and evading arrest, Rojas said. Police are withholding the name of the officer, who also escaped injury.
The Orange County district attorney’s office is investigating the shooting, a standard practice in police-involved incidents.
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