Boy, 15, 2 Others Face Car Theft Charges In Seal Beach

SEAL BEACH, CA — Two Los Angeles residents were arrested as potential car thieves after an early morning vehicle chase through Orange and LA counties, while a third suspect remained at large, the Seal Beach Police Department reported.

According to Seal Beach Lt. Julia Clasby, an automated license plate reader notified officers around 3:45 a.m. Friday of a possible stolen vehicle near Pacific Coast Highway and 13th Street.

Detectives found the car that had been reported stolen while it was being followed by a second car, she said.

Officers began to follow both cars, which prompted the occupants in both cars to turn off their headlights while driving northbound on Seal Beach Boulevard and onto the wrong side of the road, where one car nearly crashed into a vehicle traveling southbound, police said.

A description of the cars was not immediately available.

Jesse Amador, 18, and an unnamed 15-year-old boy, both Norwalk residents, and another suspect -- led the officers onto the northbound San Diego (405) Freeway.

Police said a Seal Beach Police Department Canine officer could only follow one of the vehicles, which eventually exited the Cherry Street off-ramp in Long Beach and hit a center median, disabling the car. The pursuing officers also crashed at that location, disabling their vehicle, as well.

A foot pursuit was then initiated, police said.

An officer attempted to detain Amador near Temple Avenue and East Spring Street but he refused to comply, so a police service dog was deployed. He sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Law enforcement agencies, including the California Highway Patrol and the police departments of Cypress, Los Alamitos and Long Beach, worked alongside Seal Beach police to establish a perimeter and later located the 15- year-old in the 2600 block of East Spring Street without further incident.

The third suspect, who also fled on foot, was not found by officers. He was described only as a man in dark-colored clothing.

Amador was arrested and booked at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of felony possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading and resisting arrest, while the 15-year-old boy was released to his parents with charges pending, according to police.

The investigation remained ongoing. Anyone with information was urged to contact Sgt. Gibson at 562-799-4100, ext. 1128 or at jgibson@sealbeachca.gov.