Man Escapes Psychiatric Ward In Stolen Sheriff's Patrol Car

NORTHRIDGE, CA — Wielding a four-foot metal pole to escape a Sylmar hospital's psychiatric emergency room Tuesday, a patient stole the patrol SUV of a responding deputy and lead police on a wild chase across the San Fernando Valley that ended when police fired on the driver after he reversed and rammed a patrol car.

The suspect wasn't hit, but he was injured by the flying glass and debris from the gunfire, forcing him to surrender.

Deputies with the County Services Bureau responded about 6:45 a.m. to Olive View-UCLA Medical Center to a report of a mentally-ill man armed with a metal pole, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

"Upon arriving, a deputy was immediately confronted by the suspect as the deputy exited his marked black and white patrol vehicle," according to a sheriff's department statement. "As the deputy stepped back from the suspect and away from his patrol vehicle, the suspect quickly entered the still running patrol vehicle and sped away."

The suspect was chased through the north end of the San Fernando Valley, where he drove west on Roscoe Boulevard, "when he suddenly stopped just east of White Oak Avenue, accelerated backward and collided with a pursuing marked black and white vehicle."

"A deputy-involved shooting occurred," officials said. "The suspect was able to proceed forward and turned left onto White Oak Avenue, where the pursuit continued southbound from Roscoe Boulevard."

The suspect soon pulled over and surrendered to pursuing deputies.

"The suspect was not struck by a bullet, although his injuries appeared to be the result from flying glass and debris," according to the sheriff's department.

The man was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for minor abrasions and lacerations to his upper body and released.

He was then arrested on suspicion of assault on a peace officer and evading arrest. His name and age were not released.

No deputies were injured.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock