Shoplifting suspect rams vehicle into police car, evades arrest in La Crescenta, authorities say
Editor’s Note: The tweet below includes video of officers using foul language.
A petty-theft suspect remains at large after authorities say he rammed his vehicle into a police car in La Crescenta to evade capture.
The incident began around 10 a.m. after the Glendale Police Department received report of a shoplifting incident at a local Vons grocery store, according to Sgt. Dan Suttles, a department spokesman.
He said officers arrived just as the suspect was driving away from the store in a white Ford Mustang.
Police attempted to box the man’s vehicle in to prevent him from leaving, Suttles added.
“He then rammed into one of our [cars],” he said. “We pretty much had him stuck in, but he kept on trying, flooring it … his car was smoking and spinning.”
Officers can be heard communicating with the suspect in a video of the encounter shared on social media, but the man’s vehicle was able to get free, and he drove away.
Suttles said the man soon abandoned the vehicle in the area of Foothill Boulevard and Boston Avenue, fleeing from the scene on foot.
Police soon established a perimeter in the area and asked residents to call 911 if they saw a man dressed in a blue flannel shirt and black pants.
K9 units from the San Fernando and Burbank police departments as well as deputies from the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station aided in the search.
The police activity led nearby Chamlian Armenian School to be placed on lock down.
By 2:15 p.m. Glendale police suspended their search after being unable to locate the suspect.
Suttles said there has been no indication the suspect has a weapon, but that should not discount the possibility.
The incident remains under investigation, and police will continue patrol the area.
Twitter: @Andy_Truc
UPDATES:
4:45 p.m.: This article was updated with details from a video of Glendale police attempting to stop the suspect.
3:10 p.m.: This article was updated with information from Glendale police about the search being suspended.
This article was originally published at 12:00 p.m.
