Last Week's Aliso Viejo Area Car Chase Suspect Wanted

ALISO VIEJO, CA — Police sought the public's help on Wednesday in locating the suspect accused of leading officers on a high-speed pursuit throughout Orange County in a stolen SUV last week.

Maurie Alexander Topps, a 42-year-old resident of Laguna Woods, was being sought on suspicion of grand theft auto and felony evading, according to Santa Ana police. As of Thursday morning, there is no word if Topps has been located by police.

On Sept. 15, an afternoon car chase started in Santa Ana when officers attempted to pull over a white SUV that was listed as a stolen vehicle. The chase with the Rav4 began at 3:45 p.m. at MacArthur Boulevard and the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway and continued through Tustin, Irvine and back to Santa Ana before heading back down south, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

According to initial reports, the suspect had a woman in the vehicle with him, but her identity is not yet known.

The suspect ditched the vehicle in a parking garage at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills and fled on foot with the female passenger, Bertagna said.

Police searched the vehicle, finding stolen property and narcotics paraphernalia. The vehicle was combed for DNA evidence that ultimately led police to identify Topps as the suspect, police said.

According to Bertagna, Topps knows he is wanted by the police and is currently on probation Post Release Community Supervision.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of suspect Topps is asked to contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

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