Feb 4, 2008 3:32 am US/Pacific
Slow-Speed Pursuit Leads To Slow-Speed Stand-Off
Suspect Remains In His Car Over 4 Hours After Chase Ended
WEST COVINA
After a slow-speed pursuit from El Monte through Irwindale in what was believed to be a stolen car, a suspect finally came to a stop in West Covina. Officers had surrounded the vehicle for over four hours and waited for him to give up.
Gary Cogburn, who "has been arrested before," according to West Covina police Sgt. David Lee, began attempting to evade police in El Monte at about 10 p.m. Sunday night.
Irwindale police officers took over the pursuit of the silver 2001 Honda Civic when it went through their city, and were also at the scene of Monday morning's standoff on Lark Elle Avenue in West Covina, according to Lee.
In the midst of the chase, Cogburn attempted to communicate with police by throwing notes out the window of the car. One note asked for police to give him the chance to speak with his sister.
"We're trying to get communications between him and his sister," Lee said Monday. "Apparently he's not going to cooperate until he communicates with her."
While it was reported that the car was stolen, Lee said that is appears that "the car belongs to someone he knows."
Police were concerned that Cogburn may have been armed, but his sister, Donna, told authorities that Cogburn is unarmed. By 3:30 a.m. Monday, Cogburn had still not surrendered to police.
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