A suspected DUI driver and two others riding in a stolen BMW X3 crashed into two vehicles near Cerritos High School Tuesday afternoon, then fled on foot but were later apprehended by deputies during a containment search in the Cerritos Towne Center.
Lakewood Sheriff's deputies went into pursuit of a man driving the brown BMW SUV just before 4 p.m. Tuesday because he was spotted driving recklessly near the area of 207th Street and Elaine Avenue in Lakewood, according to Lt. Eric Lindblom of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station.
The chase ensued into the city of Cerritos, but deputies called off the pursuit as they traveled northbound on Bloomfield Avenue at South Street as a safety precaution of students at nearby Cerritos High.
A few seconds later, however, the BMW collided with two other vehicles near the intersection of 183rd Street and Bloomfield Avenue at about 4 p.m., said Lt. George Berumen of the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station. The three inside the suspect vehicle -- two men and a woman -- then fled from the wreck on foot, Linblom added.
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Deputies caught the female passenger just a few feet away from the accident, Lindblom said. And within about 15 minutes, a containment search in the Cerritos Towne Center resulted in the capture of the two other men near the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel with the help of citizens who alerted deputies to the whereabouts of the two in hiding, he added.
Deputies later learned that the BMW had been stolen from the Los Angeles area just a few days ago. Stolen property was also found inside the SUV, the lieutenant added.
The three suspects, whose names and ages were not immediately available, will face charges for felony evading, driving under influence of drugs, grand theft auto, hit-and-run, and receiving stolen property, according to Lindblom.
Motorists Suffer Minor Injuries in Hit-and-Run Collision
One of the vehicles involved in the crash rolled over upon impact, however its female driver and two other passengers had no visible physical injuries. All three were taken to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital with complaints of pain to their necks and backs, Berumen said.
The other driver, a male in his 60s, was also taken to the hospital with complaints of pain and soreness to his body, Berumen added.
Cerritos sheriff's traffic detectives will likely be handling the investigation of the traffic accident. The Lakewood Station will be handling the criminal investigation involving the suspects that were arrested.
