Wild Laguna Police Chase Ends In Shooting

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A 55-year-old man was behind bars Monday on suspicion of attempting to run over Laguna Beach police officers in a pursuit that prompted a non-injury officer-involved shooting.

Richard Lyle Lewis was being held without bail in Orange County Jail.

Just before 5 p.m. Sunday, police were called about a stolen vehicle on Coast Highway and attempted to stop the suspect in the 100 block of Thalia Street, which dead-ends, according to police Sgt. Jim Cota.

As the officers attempted to stop the suspect in the cul-de-sac, he made a U-turn and sped in the direction of the officers who had gotten out of their vehicles, Cota said. That prompted the officer-involved shooting, Cota said.

A woman, believed to be Lewis' ex-wife, bailed out of the moving vehicle. She was not booked but was taken to Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach to be treated for minor injuries, Cota said.

Police gave chase again and the suspect jumped out and attempted to run away in the 600 block of Cuprien Way, but he was later taken into custody, Cota said.

Lewis was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, felony evading and possession of stolen property, Cota said. The car was reported stolen from Palm Springs.

The officer who fired the weapon is an 18-year veteran, Cota said.

City News Service