Auto Theft Suspect Arrested Following Pursuit in Pasadena

A man led Pasadena police on a short pursuit in a stolen car early Sunday before being captured, authorities said.

Brian Heriberto Ibarra, 24, of Azusa was arrested on suspicion of auto theft, felony evading police and vandalism, according to Pasadena police officials and Los Angeles County booking records. He was also wanted in connection with three outstanding warrants, police said.

The chase began about 5:50 a.m. when officers spotted a Nissan Altima that had been reported stolen out of Ontario driving along Altadena Drive, just north of Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena police Lt. Anthony Burgess said.

The driver, later identified as Ibarra, refused to pull over, initiating a short pursuit, according to the lieutenant. 

At one point during the chase, Ibarra smashed the stolen Nissan through the locked gate of a motorcycle repair shop along Colorado Boulevard, resulting in the allegation of vandalism, he said.

Ibarra stopped the car at El Nido Avenue and Thompson Alley and fled into the surrounding neighborhood, Burgess said. Officers found Ibarra a short time later along Sunnyslope Avenue and took him into custody.

At the time of Sunday’s arrest, Ibarra was already awaiting legal proceedings in a vandalism case filed in November,  as well as charges of possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia that was also filed last month, according to L.A. County Superior Court records.

Prior convictions include identity theft in January and reckless driving in 2017, according to court records.

Bail for Ibarra was set at $146,000 pending his initial appearance in Los Angeles County Superior Court.