Suspect evades CHP in bizarre Southern California high-speed chase

A motorist, at least temporarily, evaded authorities after a bizarre high-speed chase across several freeways in the San Fernando Valley Wednesday evening, marking the third police pursuit in a matter of three hours in Southern California.  

Officers with the California Highway Patrol initiated the pursuit after spotting a motorist behind the wheel of a dark-colored sedan driving on the 405 Freeway shortly before 6:30 p.m. 

The driver refused to stop when officers attempted to pull him over. The suspect then reportedly called 911 and was put in contact with CHP dispatch, who allegedly claimed that the driver said the brakes on his vehicle were failing and he was unable to stop, though CHP has yet to confirm that detail.  

Officers ordered the suspect to stop accelerating and shortly after, attempted an unsuccessful PIT maneuver that partially ripped the vehicle’s rear bumper off.  

Preliminary information about the incident suggests the suspect then told CHP dispatch that he had to pick his child up from daycare and disconnected the call.  

The suspect then transitioned to the 101 Freeway, again speeding across the shoulder of the roadway and weaving, dangerously, in and out of heavy traffic, before getting onto the 170 Freeway and exiting at Oxnard Street.  

At the stoplight, the driver moved through other motorists and entered the NoHo West shopping center, where the car was reportedly abandoned on the first floor of the structure near a Starbucks coffee shop.  

Shortly before 7 p.m., CHP and L.A. police suspended the search for the driver, though there were unconfirmed reports that the license plate came back to a home two blocks away.  

So far, there have been no reports of any arrest. Much of the pursuit can be watched in the video player above.

Earlier in the afternoon, three retail theft suspects out of Ventura County were arrested after a chase that hit speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. Just an hour later, Simi Valley police captured a man in a stolen work van, who nearly struck several pedestrians while attempting to flee, on the Santa Monica Pier.  

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