Monrovia Man Arrested After Leading Azusa Police on Motorcycle Pursuit

PHOTO/Stock image.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

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AZUSA - Officers arrested a man who fled police on foot after crashing his off-road motorcycle after passersby witnessed him joyriding on a nearby bike path.

Ryan James Zorbas, 32, was taken into custody after trying to ditch Azusa officers in a foot chase after crashing  into a security gate and fleeing into a nearby gated mountain community July 21, Azusa Police said.

Police searched the San Gabriel River Bike Path around 9 a.m. new the numerous gated communities in the northern end of town. Officer could not locate the suspect on the bike path, but discovered him resting near one of the condominium projects on Highway 39, according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

The suspect fled on his motor bike south, fleeing through bushes along the bike path and out of sight, Azusa Police said.

Walkers along the bike path pointed officers in the direction the suspect fled, who was found hiding behind a wall nearby.

“The suspect was waiting for the officer to approach from a different direction, not knowing the officer was slowly approaching behind him,“ Azusa Police said.

The suspect saw the approaching officer and fled again on the motorbike, taking a sidewalk south and cut off the officer eastbound into the Crystal Cove gated community where he crashed into a gate and fled on foot.

The suspect dropped a knife and backpack and fled into Crystal Cove, Azusa Police said.

Officers finally took the suspect into custody after he ducked out from hiding behind several condos and attempted to flee across Ranch Road.

Zorbas was hospitalized for the injuries sustained in the gate crash.

Zorbas is expected to appear in West Covina Superior Court. A date was not available through Los Angeles County booking.