High-Speed Chase Ends with Crash on Seal Beach Boulevard

The theft of a car from a Mission Viejo community center touched off a high-speed pursuit through Orange County today that ended with a crash in Seal Beach.

The car’s owner was taking a shower at the community center and realized someone had taken his keys and wallet from his locker about 9:45 a.m., according to Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock. When he got out to the parking lot, his Honda Accord was gone.

Sheriff’s deputies quickly believed the theft was carried out by a known suspect in the area with a history of brushes with the law and put out a bulletin with a description of the suspect and the stolen car, Hallock said.

About 10:15 a.m., sheriff’s deputies spot the stolen car and it touched off a pursuit on the Santa Ana (5) and San Diego (405) freeways northbound that reached speeds up to 120 mph, Hallock said.

The pursuit ended on the 405 north of Seal Beach Boulevard when the suspect slammed the car into a center divider, Hallock said.

The suspect was not seriously injured, Hallock said.

City News Service