Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A suspect wanted for grand theft was finally arrested Friday after a dangerous pursuit ended in Baldwin Park.

It is not immediately clear when the pursuit began, but El Monte Police officers took chase of a silver Honda Pilot on the I-10 freeway. They asked for assistance from the California Highway Patrol as the chase on the I-10 eastbound approached the 605 freeway around 9:12 p.m., according to CHP radio traffic.

Law enforcement confirmed that the silver Honda Pilot was a wanted vehicle out of the San Gabriel Police Department. The driver is reportedly a known gang member, according to the El Monte Police Department.

After the suspect went back westbound on the I-10 freeway, he transitioned to the southbound 605 freeway and often times drove in excess of 100 miles per hour. He grew bolder as the chase went on and somehow u-turned on the southbound 605 to travel northbound in southbound lanes near Whittier Boulevard.

The CHP followed the suspect from the sky with officers on the ground backing off after he righted himself and exited onto Telegraph Road In Santa Fe Springs. He snaked his way northbound through city streets until he entered the 605 freeway northbound. CHP officers attempted to chase him again, but decided to back off once more as the suspect drove at excessive speeds, according to CHP radio traffic.

The suspect exited onto surfer streets in Baldwin Park where he abandoned the Honda Pilot in the parking structure near Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center. A perimeter search was started and a CHP officer located and detained a suspect who was later identified by El Monte Police as Steven Anthony Amaya, 36.

Amaya was arrested by San Gabriel Police. He is being held without bail in the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles without bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in Alhambra Superior Court May 13.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A known gang banger was jailed after leading Baldwin Park and El Monte Police officers on a pursuit into Montebello.

The pursuit occurred January 24. The driver was allegedly driving recklessly through the streets of Baldwin Park and El Monte, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

Officers pursued the driver on the ground and in the air into Montebello where the driver fled the vehicle near Montebello Towne Center.

A brief foot pursuit ended with the arrest of Xavier Angel Mercado, 23. Mercado was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, evading police while on the wrong side of the median, evading with wanton disregard for public safety, possession of nitrous oxide and revocation of probation.

Booking records appear to be incomplete for Mercado. Public information available suggests he posted bail February 2.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

BALDWIN PARK - No injuries were reported after a pilot performed an emergency landing at Baldwin Park High School Sunday night.

The emergency landing happened around 7:43 p.m. at the high school, 3900 Puente Ave., on the baseball field near Badillo Street side.