A driver in a U‑Haul box truck, suspected in a robbery, led officers on a winding, multi‑jurisdictional pursuit through Boyle Heights late Saturday, spilling into parts of South Gate and the Downey‑Norwalk area before finally ditching the truck and making a run for it on foot. The chase hit high speeds on surface streets and briefly moved onto the southbound 710 Freeway as multiple agencies scrambled to box in the lumbering rental truck and its driver.
How the Chase Unfolded
El Monte police officers trailed the U‑Haul as it weaved through Boyle Heights and into the South Gate and East Los Angeles area, with the truck hitting roughly 70 miles per hour at times, according to CBS Los Angeles. The California Highway Patrol told CBS LA the driver was wanted in connection with a robbery. Officers followed the truck onto the 710 Freeway southbound, then off again at Firestone Boulevard near Garfield Avenue as the pursuit pushed into the Downey‑Norwalk area.
Spike Strip Deployed, Suspect Nabbed on Foot
“An officer ran up and dropped a spike strip under the truck's back right tire,” CBS reported, though it was not immediately clear if the maneuver actually punctured the tire. The U‑Haul eventually rolled to a stop near Morning Avenue and De Palma Street. The driver, described by observers as a woman, jumped out, cut across front yards, and tried to bolt, but California Highway Patrol officers moved in and took the person into custody. Authorities did not immediately release the suspect's name, booking details, or any additional identifying information.
Why Spike Strips Are So Risky
Law‑enforcement agencies rely on tactics such as precision driving maneuvers and tire‑deflation devices to put an end to dangerous pursuits, but those tools come with real risk to both officers and everyone nearby. “No pursuit intervention technique has proven itself more dangerous for officers in a relatively short period of time than the deployment of spike strips,” one review noted, underscoring why agencies use them cautiously, according to Police Magazine. That constant balancing act, stopping a suspected robber while trying to limit danger to bystanders, helps explain why so many agencies coordinated as the chase crossed city lines.
What Happens Next
Investigators from the CHP and local police departments continued to process the scene and review video, reports, and other evidence. It was not immediately clear whether any additional suspects might be tied to the case or what specific counts would ultimately be filed. Prosecutors are expected to determine formal charges after investigators complete their work and submit the case. Officials have asked anyone with footage or information related to the pursuit to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.
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