Police Chase Starts in Laguna Hills, Winds Through OC

Two men and a woman suspected in mail thefts in Laguna Hills were arrested in Downey today after a nearly two-hour, televised chase. Initial reports that the chase began in Laguna Niguel were not accurate.

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched about 2:30 p.m. to the 25000 block of Buckboard Lane in the Nellie Gail neighborhood after residents reported seeing two male suspects taking mail from their mailboxes, according to Lt. Jeff Hallock of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

A sheriff’s helicopter spotted the suspects in a silver 2011 Honda Civic that was leaving the area, Hallock said.

The Honda was speeding along Alicia Parkway toward the Santa Ana (5) Freeway but failed to yield when deputies who attempted a traffic stop and the chase was on, according to Hallock.

The Honda headed south into San Clemente before turning around and heading north, Hallock said.

“The suspect vehicle traveled northbound Interstate 5 and on surface streets through the cities of Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana and Anaheim before getting back onto the freeway,” Hallock said.

At times, the driver was going the speed limit, but at other times the driving was erratic as the driver went on the wrong side of the street and over center medians, sometimes hitting speeds in excess of 80 mph.

The chase finally ended when the Honda stopped near Lakewood Boulevard and Florence Avenue in Downey, where the driver, later identified as 45-year- old David Brown, and his wife, 55-year-old Jessie Brown, and another passenger, 22-year-old Corey Richardson, were taken into custody after brief foot chases, Hallock said.

All three, residents of Anaheim, were collared by Downey police officers, who assisted in the chase along with Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies, Hallock said.

“During the initial minutes of the pursuit, the suspects threw numerous bags and pieces of mail from the vehicle,” Hallock said. “Several items, some believed to be stolen, were located inside the vehicle.

“Investigators are continuing to inventory the vehicle and items located inside, to determine the suspect’s connection to the crimes in Laguna Hills as well as other jurisdictions.”

The three were arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property and felony evading.

Additional allegations are possible, Hallock said.

--City News Service