Search Continues for Kidnapping Suspect who Fled After Cross-County Chase

NEWPORT BEACH, CA A search was continuing today for a domestic violence suspect who escaped after leading authorities on a chase that ended in Newport Beach with an hours-long standoff and a dash to safety by the man's estranged wife and children.

Newport Beach police, assisted by California Highway Patrol officers, were searching for Thomas Ueno, who abandoned his SUV near Dover Drive and 16th Street in Newport Beach and ran off, according to Newport Beach police.

Ueno originally was wanted in connection with a domestic violence case, but once he refused to pull over for law enforcement authorities, he became a kidnapping suspect, said CHP Officer Denise Quesada.

Residents were urged to call police if they see the suspect, described as Hispanic, about 35 years old, with tattoos on both sides of his neck. He was wearing jeans, a black hoodie, and gray shoes when last seen, according to police.

The chase began at 4:47 p.m. Monday in Buena Park when that city's police department was contacted by its counterpart in Huntington Park, which feared a domestic violence situation had developed. The man is believed to have had his estranged wife and two children with him in the vehicle.

Police said they were concerned the driver was armed.

Authorities chased the man's Hummer on streets and freeways. On surface streets, the driver was reckless, once driving the wrong way. On freeways, he drove carefully, according to media reports.

Much of the chase north from Los Angeles County was on the Santa Ana (5) Freeway. The suspect stopped at Pacific Coast Highway and Jamboree Road in Newport Beach after being followed over a number of Orange County freeways.

The suspect resumed driving, finally stopping at Dover and 16th Street in Newport Beach, near Newport Harbor High School. Dover was closed in both directions by Newport Beach police.

The driver stopped there and a standoff began. Around 10 p.m. Monday, the woman and children ran from the vehicle to police. News footage showed the suspect exiting the Hummer and fleeing on foot.

City New Service; Photo courtesy of the Huntington Park Police Department