LOS ANGELES, CA – A chaotic Sunday night unfurled across Los Angeles County as a pair of armed carjacking suspects led law enforcement on a dramatic, multi-vehicle pursuit that spanned dozens of miles and several major freeways. The high-stakes chase, which included the theft of a commercial big rig, ultimately saw the suspects evade capture and remain at large.
The extraordinary sequence of events began around 9:45 p.m. in the northern Los Angeles community of Lancaster. Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were alerted to a carjacking incident, during which shots were reportedly fired. This initial crime set off a chain reaction that would grip the attention of law enforcement agencies and commuters alike for hours.
High-Speed Dash and Dangerous Maneuvers
The pursuit initially involved a stolen Ford F-250 pickup truck, which the suspects commandeered following the carjacking. The duo immediately launched into a perilous journey, driving the truck at high speeds on State Route 14. For nearly 30 miles, the Ford F-250 roared down the highway, pushing the limits of safety and law enforcement’s pursuit protocols. As the chase extended southbound, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers joined the intense pursuit, augmenting the efforts of the Los Angeles County deputies already on the suspects’ tail.
Throughout the chase, the driver of the stolen Ford F-250 demonstrated an alarming disregard for public safety. At multiple points, the vehicle was seen driving on the wrong side of the road, creating imminent dangers for oncoming traffic. This reckless behavior was particularly evident when the suspects entered the 10 Freeway, one of Southern California’s busiest arteries, again driving in the incorrect direction against the flow of traffic.
The pursuit continued across a vast network of Los Angeles freeways, becoming a sprawling, county-wide spectacle. The Ford F-250, with law enforcement units in close pursuit, traversed the 210 Freeway, Interstate 5, the 170, the 101, and the 110, showcasing the suspects’ determination to evade capture. Speeds during this segment of the chase reportedly reached up to 70 mph, underscoring the extreme risks involved for both the suspects and the officers.
Abandoned Vehicles and a Commercial Theft
The initial phase of the pursuit came to a halt under the 10 Freeway overpass, specifically near Newton and Alameda Streets in downtown Los Angeles. Upon stopping the Ford F-250, both suspects immediately fled on foot, disappearing into the urban landscape momentarily. However, their escape was short-lived, as they soon resurfaced with yet another stolen vehicle.
In a brazen act that escalated the incident’s severity, the armed pair carjacked a white pickup truck. This second stolen vehicle became their new getaway transport, but their flight in it was also brief. The white pickup truck was ultimately abandoned on Mission Road and Caesar Chavez, adding another chapter to their trail of stolen vehicles. This news was a major development in the ongoing saga.
Perhaps the most unusual turn of events involved the theft of a large commercial vehicle. Authorities later confirmed that one of the vehicles taken by the suspects was a big rig, specifically identified as a milking truck. Fortunately, the truck was empty at the time it was taken, and its driver was reported to be unharmed, avoiding what could have been a far more tragic outcome. This detail was a featured element of the breaking news coverage.
Suspects Remain at Large
Despite the extensive efforts of Los Angeles County deputies and California Highway Patrol officers, law enforcement eventually lost sight of the armed carjacking suspects. As of the latest reports, both individuals involved in the multi-vehicle thefts and the dangerous pursuit remain at large. The search continues for the pair responsible for the string of carjackings and the widespread disruption they caused across a significant portion of the Los Angeles metropolitan area Sunday night.
