Golf Course Chase Lands Suspect in Water Hazard

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — The David L. Baker Memorial Golf Course saw a bit of late night action Monday night when a car chase ended in a water hazard. Golfers detained the suspect until the Fountain Valley Police arrived.

A 34-year-old parolee who led police on a chase in Fountain Valley Monday night was arrested after he sped onto a golf course and flipped the stolen SUV he was driving in a water hazard.

An officer on patrol approached the suspect, identified as Mario Acevedo of Santa Ana, when he pulled into a 7-Eleven store about 11:15 a.m. at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Heil Avenue, but Acevedo "accelerated rapidly over the landscaped parkway and sidewalk," and took off, heading west on Heil, according to Fountain Valley police Sgt. Tony Luce.

With police in pursuit, Acevedo turned the Jeep Cherokee north onto Euclid Avenue, where he drove over a curb into Mile Square Park, Luce said.

"Acevedo proceeded through the green areas of the park before crashing through a fence onto David L. Baker (Memorial) Golf Course," Luce said. "He eventually drove into a pond, overturning the car. Acevedo got out of the car and fled on foot but was detained by several golfers until officers arrived."

Officers found "a significant amount of narcotics" in Acevedo's pants and a replica firearm and burglary tools inside the SUV, Luce said.

Acevedo was taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries that he sustained in the rollover.

City News Service, Fountain Valley Police Department Courtesy Photo of Suspect Mario Acevedo of Santa Ana