Stolen car crashes into F.V. home after chase; 4 people arrested after resident holds one at gunpoint

One of four people traveling in a stolen vehicle was held at gunpoint by a homeowner in Fountain Valley late Monday after the car crashed into his home, police said.

The incident began about midnight when police tried to pull over a car on a suspected code violation, Santa Ana police Cmdr. Matt Sorenson said.

The driver did not comply and a short pursuit ensued, lasting about two minutes, Sorenson said.

The car, which had four occupants and turned out to be stolen, ended up crashing into a home near the intersection of Holly Avenue and Newhope Street in Fountain Valley, Sorenson said.

Homeowner Cris Maradiaga said he and his wife were just going to sleep after staying up late to celebrate his birthday when he heard two loud crashes.

The vehicle had crashed into a wall surrounding the property and then into a bedroom where a woman who was visiting was sleeping, Maradiaga said.

The woman was being examined but was expected to be OK, he said.

“I came out and there was two guys that were trying to get in through the house,” Maradiaga said.

Maradiaga said his wife went to check on their baby and he went to get his gun before going outside.

“So I went and got my gun and got out and kept the guy here until the police got here, which was like a minute after,” Maradiaga said.

Maradiaga said a woman who exited the vehicle possibly ran through his house and out a side door before she was caught outside the home.

Video from the scene showed a woman being pulled down by a police dog and taken into custody.

All four people who were in the vehicle at the time of the crash were eventually arrested, and three weapons were found, Sorenson said.

No serious injuries were reported.