Suspect Shot Dead After Day of Wild Pursuits, Collisions Around Rowland Heights

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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ROWLAND HEIGHTS - A suspect wanted on suspicion of kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer was killed by deputy gunfire after injuring a deputy Sunday.

The publicly-unidentified suspect led deputies from the Walnut and Industry Sheriff’s stations on two separate pursuits Sunday. The suspect escaped capture both times by driving recklessly at high-speeds. A deputy was pinned under his own patrol vehicle after the suspect rammed it to attempt a third escape, deputies said.

Witnesses reported seeing a man and woman arguing at a strip mall in the 1100 block of Fullerton Road around 10:30 p.m. December 5. The witnesses also heard what sounded like a gunshot just before the woman was forced into the vehicle, according to Lt. Scott Hoglund of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

Evidence of the shooting, a firearm and other property was found at the scene.

Fortunately, the 24-year-old victim was located four hours later, although she was hospitalized for abrasions to her face and lower body, Hoglund said.

Deputies located the suspect just before 1 p.m. near Los Padres Drive and Sierra Leone Avenue December 6, after learning he shed his previous vehicle for a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but he fled the scene. The suspect made his way along Harbor Boulevard towards La Habra Heights at high speed. Deputies lost sight of him, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s radio traffic.

Around 7:45 p.m. the same day, a deputy from the Sheriff’s Walnut Station saw the suspect in the 1900 block of Batson Avenue.

The Walnut deputy, aided by a deputy from the Sheriff’s Industry Station, gave chase until the suspect evaded them in the area of Fullerton Road and East Road in La Habra Heights.

Hours later, deputies found the suspect parked in a driveway at an apartment complex in the 1900 block of Batson Avenue around 11:47 p.m.

“Believing this might be the suspect vehicle, he pulled in front of the Jeep. As the deputy was exiting his vehicle to investigate, the suspect appeared in the Jeep’s driver seat, revved the engine and rammed the front end of the patrol vehicle. During that time, the deputy’s leg was caught underneath the vehicle pinning him and a deputy involved shooting occurred,” Hoglund said in a written statement.

The 28-year-old suspect died at the scene. The injured deputy was hospitalized for injuries considered not life-threatening.

The vehicle used in the kidnapping is reported stolen. The Jeep is believed to also be stolen, Hoglund said.