Pair arrested after allegedly trying to evade Burbank police in stolen truck

A 42-year-old man allegedly driving a stolen truck led Burbank police on a roughly four-minute car chase on the Golden State (5) Freeway Monday, police said.

At around 6:20 p.m., police noticed the man — James Cooper of a Burbank — allegedly filling the 2004 Nissan pick-up truck with gas at the 76 gas station on San Fernando Boulevard and Buena Vista Street, said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

When police ran the license plate, they discovered the truck was stolen and attempted to stop the driver.

Cooper allegedly blew through a red light and got onto the southbound 5 Freeway at Buena Vista. After allegedly speeding past three freeway exits, the suspect exited Burbank Boulevard.

Cooper subsequently pulled into the Costco parking lot, stopped the truck and fled on foot, Ryburn said.

Police arrested the passenger — Bernadette Teli, 42 — on suspicion of possessing suspected methamphetamine.

Officers chased Cooper across the railroad tracks and into the Empire Center. He was arrested on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle, possessing suspected methamphetamine and evading officers.

The truck was returned to its owner, Ryburn said.

The pair is due in court later this week.

-- Alene Tchekmedyian, Times Community News

Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.