Suspect allegedly wanted in kidnapping investigation arrested after police pursuit, shooting in South Los Angeles
A suspect allegedly wanted in a kidnapping investigation is in custody after a police pursuit ended in a shooting on Monday morning.
Around 3:15 a.m., officers from the Santa Monica Police Department located Jorge Luis Vega, 32, who was wanted in connection with an ongoing kidnapping investigation in Los Angeles.
Vega fled in a car and a police pursuit was initiated. It ended near the area of 937 W. 85th Street, where an officer-involved shooting took place. The events that led up to the shooting are unknown.
Vega was taken into custody. Santa Monica police said no gunshot injuries were reported.
He was booked into jail on suspicion of:
- kidnapping
- criminal threats
- brandishing a firearm
- rape
- felon in possession of a firearm
Investigators said Vega allegedly kidnapped a former girlfriend at a Vons supermarket's parking lot at 1311 Wilshire Boulevard just before 12:15 a.m. on May 17. Officers said Vega allegedly threatened a witness who tried to intervene.
Later on Sunday, Santa Monica police located the victim in the city of Beaumont. She was not present during the pursuit or shooting.
Investigators urged anyone with information on the case to contact either Detective Hilda Lucero at hilda.lucero@santamonica.gov or (310) 458-8939, Detective Esteban Hernandez at esteban.hernandez@santamonica.gov or (310) 458- 8946, Sgt. Alfonso Lozano alfonso.lozano@santamonica.gov or (310) 458-8774 or the on-duty watch commander at (310) 458-8427.
