Woman arrested after owner of van she stole spots her red-handed behind the wheel

Photos by LM News

La Mirada- A call to Norwalk Sheriff's Station to report a stolen vehicle from a business this morning took a sudden turn that resulted in the arrest of a suspect after the owner called back to report he was following a person driving his vehicle not far from where it was taken.

Shortly after 8 a.m. the owner of Dorado Bakery next to the new Mc Donald's in East Whittier at 15662 Leffingwell Rd reported to dispatchers that one of the panel vans he owns had been stolen. 

A short time later dispatchers received a call back from the man at 8:14 a.m. saying he found his van being driven by a woman in the Saver's parking lot at Imperial Hwy and Santa Gertrudes Ave.

After driving the stolen van around the parking lot for several minutes the woman head east on Imperial Hwy to turning left onto First Ave where it was quickly spotted by a Sheriff's Aero Bureau helicopter crew as it approached Lambert Rd.

Deputies in patrol vehicles were not far behind. 

A successfully stop in the 10800 block of First Ave (just north of Leffingwell Rd.) blocked the northbound lane at Lashburn Street as deputies with guns drawn ordered the occupants to exit the van by loudspeaker. Only the female driver was found inside the stolen van.

A Norwalk Station deputy speaks to the suspect as other deputies plan their approach to the van

A Norwalk Station Sergeant supervising deputies in the field arrives on scene.