Pursuit suspect runs onto Santa Monica Pier after allegedly stealing work van

A pursuit suspect ran onto the Santa Monica Pier after leading Simi Valley police on a cross-county chase. 

The Simi Valley Police Department started chasing the stolen work van in Ventura County after an automatic license plate reader alerted officers. During the high-speed freeway pursuit, the driver routinely reached speeds above 80 mph while trying to weave past rush hour traffic between the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles. 

The suspect continued to cut through traffic dangerously by ignoring red lights and driving on the wrong side of the road several times after exiting the freeway. The pursuit continued into Santa Monica, passing by the Third Street Promenade. 

While on Ocean Avenue, the suspect crashed into another driver and continued to flee police despite slamming against a nearby wall. 

After circling around the city, the suspect crashed into another vehicle before ditching the work van. He tried to run away from officers near the Third Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier. 

Officers quickly caught up to the suspect, and he surrendered right at the pier's entrance while inexplicably smiling. 

Simi Valley police identified the suspect as 21-year-old Alex Villegas. Officers booked him for possession of a stolen vehicle, two counts of hit-and-run and felony evading. 

No one was injured during the pursuit.