Man Leads Police on Southbay Chase, Shootout with Baby in Car

A domestic abuse suspect, with his 5-month-old baby inside the vehicle, was chased by police from Long Beach to San Pedro today, a pursuit that included at least two shootouts, but neither the infant nor the chased driver were hurt.

One Long Beach police officer suffered minor injuries in the second shootout, when glass shattered in a patrol car.

The incident began with a shooting during a domestic dispute in the 6500 block of East Rosebay Street just before 2 a.m., said Nancy Pratt of the Long Beach Police Department.

The suspect was gone as officers arrived, but the man returned to the scene and exchanged gunfire with officers.

The suspect managed to get into his vehicle and flee the scene, initiating a pursuit that ended in San Pedro. Another exchange of gunfire broke out near the intersection of South Bandini Street and West Oliver Street.

The suspect surrendered and was arrested. Initial police reports did not disclose if the baby was in a special car seat, or if police knew there was a second person in the car as they chased it. It was also not immediately disclosed how long the chase was. The child was taken into protective custody.,

Pratt said that police found a gun in the suspect’s vehicle. His name, and the child’s gender were not immediately released.

• City News Service