Assault suspect arrested following lengthy pursuit from Chula Vista to Anaheim
Authorities were in pursuit of a driver wanted for unknown reasons Monday evening.
Chula Vista Police Department officers began pursuit of the suspect after a reported assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon.
They handed the pursuit to California Highway Patrol officers as the suspect continued to travel through Southern California via both the 5 and 405 Freeways, heading through Riverside County and into Orange County.
The suspect was driving a white Kia Optima, which appeared to have suffered a flat tire on the front right, after officers performed a successful spike strip early in the pursuit.
As the pursuit continued through Anaheim, the suspect eventually slowed to a stop as CHP officers prepared less-than-lethal weapons.
Both sides of the 5 Freeway were temporarily closed due to the suspect's location, but southbound lanes reopened immediately after the situation came to a conclusion.
Officers could be seen firing multiple rounds of pepper balls in the front window of the vehicle, releasing pepper-spray.
Shortly after, the suspect exited his vehicle and a K9 unit was released. He jumped on the hood of the stolen vehicle before surrendering to CHP officers and San Diego County Sheriff's Department deputies who had also gathered at the scene.
Officers release K9; Suspect promptly surrenders
Officers fire pepper balls at suspect
Suspect stops vehicle in Anaheim; both sides of 5 Freeway closed
Officers deployed spike strip, three good tires remain
Suspect reportedly slammed officer's cruiser with vehicle
Chula Vista PD revealed that officers were performing a routine license plate check when they learned the vehicle the suspect is driving came back as stolen.
Upon their attempt to perform a traffic stop, the suspect rammed the police cruiser before fleeing from the area, prompting the pursuit.
Neither of the officers occupying the cruiser were injured.
