Auto Theft Suspect Arrested Following Pursuit, Crash in Pasadena

A man led police on a brief chase through Pasadena in a stolen pickup truck on Wednesday before the pursuit ended with a crash, authorities said.

The incident began about 10:50 a.m. when a signal from a LoJack vehicle anti-theft system led officers to the area of Santa Barbara Street and El Molino Avenue, said Pasadena police Lt. Sean Dawkins. The driver refused to pull over, initiating the chase, Dawkins said.

The fleeing suspect blew through stop signs as he led officers on a pursuit for just under a mile, according to the lieutenant. The driver lost control of the truck and crashed into a retaining wall outside of a home at Mountain Street and Garfield Avenue.

Dawkins said the suspect got out of the truck and ran, but was quickly chased down and taken into custody by officers in the 800 block of North Los Robles Avenue.

No injuries were reported, he said. The stolen truck sustained damage described as moderate.

The suspect’s identity was not available Wednesday afternoon pending completion of the booking process.