A 31-year-old man who was the target of a narcotics operation in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant in Bellflower wasn't where a group of detectives expected him to be, but he instead turned up in a sport utility vehicle and began shooting at an undercover vehicle at the end, authorities said.
Detectives from a Norwalk Crime Suppression Team, along with the assistance of Norwalk Operation Safe Streets detectives, went to 10205 E. Rosecrans Ave. in Bellflower at 2:05 p.m. Wednesday, a deputy from the sheriff's Norwalk Station said.
They were intending to observe and then arrest a known gang member, Chris Ambriz, who was wanted for possession of a drugs and a gun by a felon. However, Ambriz wasn't there when they arrived, the deputy said.
After the operation was concluded, a sergeant noticed he was being followed by a white Ford Expedition. The driver approached the sergeant's vehicle and began shooting. The driver of the Ford then fled, the deputy said.
Investigators determined the driver was Ambriz. The sergeant whose vehicle was shot at knew Ambriz from having arrested him on another occasion, the deputy said.
A few hours later, Ambriz was traced to a motel in Buena Park and arrested. He was booked for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. He is being held in lieu of $450,000 bail, the deputy said.
