North Hollywood Man ID'd as Suspect who Lead CHP on Risky Chase

Authorities today chased a speeding SUV on the Ventura (101) Freeway and surface streets from Agoura Hills to the Tarzana area, where the vehicle crashed and the motorist was taken into custody.

The chase began at 8:35 a.m., when officers saw the SUV traveling at a high rate of speed on the eastbound 101 Freeway near Reyes Adobe Road, said California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos.

The SUV led officers off the freeway and onto surface streets, nearly colliding with other vehicles. It then returned to the 101 Freeway, and exited near Reseda Boulevard, Villalobos said. The vehicle crashed at 9:20 a.m., and officers arrested the suspect.

Booked for attempted murder on a police officer was James Vazquez, 40, of North Hollywood, said David Galbraith, a public information officer with the California Highway Patrol.

He also was booked for evading arrest, Galbraith said. The attempted murder charge arose out of an incident in the first 10 minutes of the chase when Vazquez allegedly tried to hit a CHP officer on his motorcycle. The officer was able to get out of the way.

--City News Service

PHOTO Patch file photo.