Two arrested after brief police pursuit leads to crash

Two men were arrested Wednesday after a brief police pursuit that culminated with the their vehicle crashing into a concrete median.

At about 2 p.m., Burbank police detectives were in the 4400 block of Sarah Street when they observed a man exit a vehicle and walk to a residence while the driver kept the engine running, Sgt. Darin Ryburn said.

The passenger returned a short time later and the gray Nissan Altima accelerated, Ryburn said.

Detectives attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the men failed to yield and a pursuit began, Ryburn said.

Dennis Serrano Tanjuaquio, 31, of Simi Valley, and Marco Alonzo Morales, 28, of North Hills, traveled at speed of up to 40 mph on residential streets and alleys in an alleged attempt to evade police when their car crashed into a concrete median and stop sign at Pass Avenue, south of Chandler Boulevard, Ryburn said.

The driver, Tanjuaquio, ran down an alley where police arrested him, Ryburn said.

Morales was hiding on the porch area of a residence at Chandler and Pass and was located a short time later.

Tanjuaquio and Morales were each arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamines and transporting them for sale.

Tanjuaquio was also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and hit-and-run, Ryburn said. Bail amounts for Tanjuaquio and Morales were set for $55,000 and $50,000, respectively.

-- Maria Hsin, Times Community News

Twitter: @mariahsin