Jul 2, 2008 6:55 pm US/Pacific
2 Crashes, 1 Stolen Car: Cops Chase Suspect
BEVERLY HILLS
What started as an attempt by Beverly Hills cops to stop someone from using a cell phone while driving, ended with one chase and two collisions, according to authorities.
Officers said a motorist in a white Ford Econoline was using his cell phone without a hands-free device and when they attempted to pull him
over near Santa Monica Boulevard and Rexford Drive at 12:50 p.m., discovered that car was stolen, Beverly Hills police Lt. Tony Lee said.
The driver went westbound on Santa Monica Boulevard at speeds up to 60 mph, crashing into one car in Beverly Hills, Lee said.
Police were right behind the suspect as he continued westbound on Wilshire Boulevard, where he rear-ended another car in Westwood, Lee said.
The suspect then got on the northbound San Diego (405) Freeway going the wrong way, Lee said.
He pulled onto a freeway embankment and then unsuccessfully attempted to carjack another vehicle.
The suspect then jumped over a fence and was arrested at Sawtelle Boulevard and Ohio Avenue by officers from the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles police departments and California Highway Patrol, Lee said.
The suspect, who is in his 20s, will face charges of attempted carjacking, grand theft auto, felony possession of narcotics, hit-and-run, and felony evading, Lee said.
However, it is not expected he will be charged with breaking the new cell phone law.
"We got bigger charges," Lee said.
Lee said it is not known who the suspect was talking to when the motorcycle officer originally tried to pull him over.
"He's playing silent," Lee said. "We're talking to him right now."
There were apparently no serious injuries in either collision, Lee said.
Beverly Hills police had written 60 citations as of early this morning as part of what Lee described as a very active and aggressive effort against those violating the new law.
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