Man Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Starting In Seal Beach

SEAL BEACH, CA — One man was arrested Saturday morning after leading Seal Beach Police officers on a chase that ultimately ended on a Long Beach freeway, Seal Beach Police Department Lieutenant Julia Clasby said.

Seal Beach police were sent to the area of First Street and Pacific Coast Highway at around 7:10 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, in response to an automated license plate reader notifying officers of a stolen vehicle.

Police officers found the vehicle in the area of Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street in the City of Long Beach, and the driver led officers on a pursuit, which lasted roughly 10 minutes, Clasby said.

"An officer utilized the PIT maneuver in the area of northbound 405 Freeway transition to the southbound 710 Freeway," Clasby said. "This caused the vehicle to become disabled down an embankment."

A PIT — or pursuit intervention technique — maneuver is a pursuit tactic in which a pursuing vehicle forces a fleeing vehicle to turn sideways abruptly, causing the driver to lose control and stop.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 38-year-old Anthony Ramirez of Long Beach. He remained at the scene while his passenger left the vehicle on-foot and evaded arrest from officers.

Ramirez was initially taken to a local hospital after he complained to officers of pain. He was soon medically cleared and moved to Orange County Jail for felony possession of a stolen vehicle and felony evading arrest.

The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the crash, and anyone with information was asked to call Sergeant Garcia at 562-799-4100 ext. 1649 or jfgarcia@sealbeachca.gov.