A shocking carjacking incident in East Los Angeles on Friday evening, August 29, 2025, concluded with a high-speed pursuit and a violent crash in Malibu, leaving three young children and at least two other individuals hospitalized. Authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the events that began when a vehicle, left running with three children inside, was stolen from a 7-Eleven.
East Los Angeles Carjacking Sparks Pursuit
The alarming sequence of events began around 6:35 p.m. on Friday. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, a parent had parked their light-colored Chrysler sedan outside a 7-Eleven located at Arizona Street and Olympic Boulevard in East Los Angeles. Critically, the engine was left running, and three children—ages 2, 7, and 9—remained inside the vehicle. While the parent was inside the store, a suspect entered the idling car and drove off, effectively carjacking the vehicle with the youngsters still aboard.
The children’s father, who was parked nearby in a separate car, witnessed the theft and attempted to intervene by jumping onto the back of the fleeing vehicle. He was dragged a short distance before falling and sustaining injuries to his upper body. He was later transported to a hospital, though his specific condition was not immediately released.
High-Speed Chase Across Los Angeles County
Deputies from the LASD’s East Los Angeles station spotted the stolen sedan shortly after the carjacking. They initiated a traffic stop, but the suspect failed to yield, leading to a pursuit that extended across multiple roadways. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) quickly joined the effort, taking over the chase as the vehicle traveled west on the Santa Monica (10) Freeway. Throughout the pursuit, the suspect drove at high speeds, reportedly reaching speeds of up to 70 mph, and at times up to 90 mph as the chase progressed toward the coast.
Law enforcement officers were aware of the children’s presence in the vehicle and took precautions, refraining from employing tactics like the PIT maneuver that could endanger the young passengers. However, CHP officers did deploy spike strips in an attempt to safely disable the car. The pursuit continued for nearly an hour, covering approximately 30 miles, before its dramatic conclusion.
Violent Crash in Malibu
The pursuit culminated around 7:34 p.m. at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Kanan Dume Road in Malibu. As the suspect drove through a red light, the stolen sedan collided head-on with another vehicle making a left turn from Kanan Dume Road onto PCH. The impact caused the stolen car to lose control, and it subsequently slammed into several other vehicles before coming to rest against a hillside.
Suspect Flees, Apprehended After Dramatic Chase
Immediately following the multi-vehicle crash, the suspect exited the damaged stolen car and fled the scene on foot. Live video footage captured the suspect running barefoot through a wooded area, shedding layers of clothing, and scaling a barbed-wire fence in an attempt to evade capture. CHP officers pursued the suspect through residential areas and fields before eventually apprehending him.
Children and Other Victims Hospitalized
Emergency services responded swiftly to the crash site. The three children who were inside the stolen vehicle were rescued from the wreckage. One child was secured in a car seat. All three were airlifted to UCLA Medical Center in Westwood with injuries described as minor to moderate. Their parents will not face any charges related to the incident. The driver of the vehicle that was T-boned, an 80-year-old male, sustained serious injuries, and his elderly female passenger also suffered injuries. Both were transported to the hospital.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have confirmed the arrest of the suspect, who has not been publicly identified, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing. The crash temporarily closed significant portions of PCH in Malibu, impacting local traffic. This Los Angeles News story highlights the severe risks associated with leaving vehicles running unattended, particularly when children are present, and the dangers posed by fleeing suspects during police pursuits. Further details regarding the suspect’s charges are expected as the investigation progresses.
