A terrifying ordeal that began with a brazen carjacking and kidnapping in East Los Angeles culminated in a violent crash in Malibu, leaving a young family shaken and traumatized. Three young brothers, aged 2, 7, and 9, were abducted from their mother’s running vehicle, leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit that tragically ended with a multi-car collision on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).
The Nightmare Unfolds in East LA
The harrowing incident occurred on Friday, August 29th, when the children’s mother briefly entered a 7-Eleven store on E. Olympic Boulevard and S. Arizona Avenue, leaving her car running with her sons inside. Her husband was nearby, supervising from his own vehicle. In a swift, terrifying moment, a man reportedly jumped into the driver’s seat of the unoccupied car, striking the father as he sped away with the three boys trapped inside. The mother recounted the horror, stating, “You blink and you see a stranger in the car with your kids. Your kids are crying and desperate for their mom.” She described feeling helpless, her phone and children vanishing in an instant.
A Perilous Pursuit Across Los Angeles
The suspect, driving the stolen sedan, then led law enforcement on a relentless pursuit, reaching speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. The chase traversed miles of Los Angeles County roadways, with police helicopters tracking the vehicle. Authorities, aware of the precious cargo, opted against PIT maneuvers but deployed spike strips in an attempt to halt the driver. During the chase, family members reported the suspect was agitated and aggressive, even instructing the children to discard items from the sunroof in a desperate attempt to evade pursuit.
Devastating Conclusion in Malibu
The nearly hour-long pursuit concluded violently in Malibu at the intersection of PCH and Kanan Dume Road. The suspect ran a red light, T-boning a vehicle making a left turn. The impact sent the stolen car careening into other vehicles before crashing into a hillside. The suspect immediately fled the wreckage on foot, discarding clothing and scaling fences in a frantic attempt to escape capture. He was eventually apprehended by law enforcement.
Family’s Trauma and Children’s Recovery
Tragically, the crash also injured an 80-year-old male driver and his elderly female passenger in one of the other vehicles involved. The three young brothers, though having endured a terrifying ordeal, were rescued from the mangled car and airlifted to UCLA Medical Center with minor to moderate injuries. The family, speaking through a cousin, shared the profound emotional toll. The mother described the event as heart-wrenching, while a cousin noted the children were “scared to death.” The youngest, a 2-year-old, was reportedly in a car seat. The 7-year-old required surgery for a dislocated hip. While the youngest child was released Saturday, the older two were discharged Sunday night, marking a significant step in their recovery. The father, who sustained upper body injuries while attempting to stop the carjacking, was also released from the hospital.
Community Rallies and Safety Reminder
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the family as they navigate the aftermath, dealing with physical injuries and the psychological scars of the traumatic event. The incident has also prompted a renewed safety reminder from law enforcement: never leave a vehicle running unattended, especially with children inside.
This harrowing event, now brought into the spotlight, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of carjacking and the devastating impact these crimes can have on innocent families across Los Angeles. The news continues to follow the suspect’s legal proceedings and the family’s ongoing journey toward healing.
