Stolen Vehicle Suspect Tries to Flee Calif. Police by Running into Ocean
What to know
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A stolen vehicle pursuit with Huntington Beach police ended with one suspect trying to flee into the ocean.
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Police used spike strips and a PIT maneuver to disable the stolen vehicle on Pacific Coast Highway.
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A passenger was arrested immediately, while the driver tried to escape into the ocean and was captured with helicopter assistance.
A stolen vehicle chase Tuesday ended when California police arrested the suspected driver after he fled into the ocean.
The pursuit happened at around 10 p.m. after a Huntington Beach police officer tried to pull over a vehicle for a traffic violation that had been reported stolen, the department stated in a news release. The driver initially stopped before fleeing, leading police on a brief chase onto Pacific Coast Highway.
With help from a department helicopter, officers tracked the vehicle and deployed spike strips, which successfully deflated its tires. When the vehicle slowed, an officer executed a PIT maneuver, bringing the pursuit to a controlled stop.
Both occupants exited the vehicle and tried to flee on foot. The passenger was quickly taken into custody, but the driver ran toward the beach and entered the ocean.
With continued aerial support, officers located the "soggy suspect" in the water and took the individual into custody without incident.
"When the beach is closed… It’s really closed," the department stated.
Both suspects were arrested on multiple charges and booked into the Huntington Beach Police Department jail.