A police chase involving a pair of stolen Priuses ended with a splash in Huntington Beach on Friday, as officers from the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) apprehended two suspects after a high-speed pursuit. The incident began when the police helicopter HB1 spotted the stolen vehicles headed northbound on Pacific Coast Highway from Newport Beach and proceeded with a chase, as confirmed in a Facebook post by the Huntington Beach Police Department.
One of the vehicles, a white Prius, lost control in downtown Huntington Beach, crashing into a planter; its female driver attempted to flee on foot. A bystander took action and thwarted the escape, leading to the arrest and discovery of suspected narcotics and a firearm discarded by the suspect. Meanwhile, the other Prius, this time gray, continued its attempt to elude the police before eventually being disabled by a spike strip near Sunset Beach, according to the same HBPD post. The male suspect then abandoned the vehicle, and in a desperate bid for freedom, jumped into the harbor.
A joint effort by HBPD, lifeguards, California State Parks personnel, and the Orange County Sheriff's Department resulted in rescuing the latter suspect from the water. As reported by KTLA, the dramatic foot chase and subsequent water recovery unfolded with witnesses watching as police, including an officer who stripped down before the aquatic pursuit, worked to secure the suspect and recover another discarded firearm from the harbor.
The chase not only captivated onlookers with its unconventional twists but, also raised concerns about public safety as the grey Prius, driven by 31-year-old Marco Burgos, rammed into a structure before the suspect's harbor plunge. "He jumped out and ran down the street, you know, like a professional athlete or something," recounted eyewitness Mike Paisley in a statement obtained by CBS Los Angeles. One resident described the disruption caused to her property as a result of the suspect's escape attempt, with her fence being broken in the process.
Both drivers of the stolen Priuses are now in custody, with charges including auto theft, firearm violations, and other crimes. The HBPD highlights that there are no suspects outstanding, ensuring the public that the situation has been contained.
