Car Jacking to Car Chase Overnight Near Arcadia

ARCADIA, CA — A gunman stole a vehicle in a carjacking El Monte today, then led law enforcement officers over freeways and surface streets to the Whittier area, where he surrendered, authorities said.

Steven Amaya, 28, of Pasadena was booked on suspicion of carjacking, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and evading, police said

The pursuit began about 2:50 a.m., when officers saw a car matching the description of the carjacked vehicle and began chasing it, said El Monte police Lt. Ernie Cramer.

The chase led onto the southbound San Gabriel River (605) Freeway, and the suspect at one point headed north in the southbound lanes, Cramer said.

California Highway Patrol officers took over the pursuit, aided by a helicopter crew, and the car made its way onto the Foothill (210) Freeway and eventually went onto the southbound 605 Freeway again. The man finally stopped the Honda Civic at Colima Road and Mar Vista Street, where he was taken into custody after a brief standoff. His name was not immediately released.

No injuries were reported in the original carjacking, Cramer said.

City News Service, Shutterstock