Suspect spotted in stolen car in South Whittier arrested after collision

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Updated Jan. 28, 
8:36 a.m.

Written by: LMNewsBeat Staff

Brea-  A suspect in a stolen vehicle that had led deputies on a brief vehicle pursuit Sunday evening was arrested after driving through a red light and colliding with another vehicle.

Deputies had ended active pursuit of the suspect after falling into helicopter surveillance mode about a minute after the chase started in South Whittier.

A sheriff's patrol unit spotted the vehicle that had recently been reported stolen near Telegraph Rd and Florence Ave/Mills Ave about 7:23 p.m. and the driver immediately tried to evade deputies.

The suspect fled north on Mills about a mile, then headed east on Lambert Rd through the city of La Habra and into Brea.  

About ten minutes after the pursuit ended the suspect drove through a red light at Berry Av and Lambert Rd and collided with a vehicle that had the green light.

Deputies quickly formed a tactical arrest team to approach the vehicle after the suspect that appeared unconscious and failed to comply with verbal commands to exit and surrender.  

A video seen on KTLA News submitted by a viewer shows the female suspect was no longer interested in playing possum and quickly came to life as a very excited Brea police canine and his handler joined the arrest team as they moved in smashing out a car window to make the arrest.

While observing the vehicle from the air, the Sheriff's Aero Unit observer noted other red lights that and erratic driving by the suspect up until the crash even though deputies were no longer near the vehicle.

The occupants of the car struck by the suspect appeared to be uninjured after a quick check by paramedics from the Brea Fire Department the need for further medical treatment was declined.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital and was expected to be booked on charges of grand theft of a vehicle, and felony evading after a medical evaluation.