A driver accused of being behind the wheel of an allegedly stolen Mercedes was taken into custody Thursday night after leading authorities through South Los Angeles and onto the eastbound 10 Freeway.
The pursuit began in the Paramount area shortly before 10 p.m., according to authorities. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department initially followed the vehicle before the California Highway Patrol took over.
The pursuit later continued under Los Angeles police involvement as the driver made his way through city streets. Officers deployed a spike strip, leaving the vehicle with a damaged tire, but the driver continued moving.
At one point, the driver briefly got out of the Mercedes while officers were nearby. He then returned to the vehicle and continued driving away.
The pursuit remained relatively slow after the vehicle’s tires were damaged. Aerial footage showed the Mercedes traveling at roughly 15 to 20 mph after entering the eastbound 10 Freeway, with the driver appearing to have difficulty keeping the vehicle under control.
Authorities worked to reduce traffic around the pursuit, including conducting a traffic break behind the Mercedes and restricting access from some freeway on-ramps.
The vehicle continued east on the freeway before CHP officers brought the pursuit to an end near downtown Los Angeles.
An officer performed a PIT maneuver, causing the Mercedes to spin and come to a stop on the eastbound 10 Freeway just west of the 110 Freeway. The force of the maneuver caused the vehicle’s trunk to open, sending clothing and other items onto the roadway.
The driver initially refused to leave the vehicle. Officers then approached and removed him from the Mercedes before taking him into custody.
The arrest ended a pursuit that had moved from local streets to the freeway and lasted roughly half an hour.
Authorities have not publicly released additional details about the driver’s identity or the specific allegations he may face. The investigation into the vehicle and the circumstances surrounding the pursuit remains ongoing.
