Burglary, Stolen Vehicle Suspect In Pursuit Crashes And Dies

CULVER CITY, CA — A burglary and stolen vehicle suspect crashed and died Wednesday, Culver City police reported.

Officers responded to a report of multiple burglaries at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in the 9500 block of Jefferson Boulevard, about 7:12 a.m. Wednesday, police said.

The person who reported the incident saw a man looking inside several parked vehicles, breaking into two of them, and stealing property, including a backpack, police said.

"The reporting party stated that the suspect also possibly stole a silver Lexus after he entered it and manipulated some wires," police said. "The suspect then fled the location in the Lexus with the victim’s property."

Officers found the suspect near the area of Obama Boulevard and Hauser Boulevard, then attempted to conduct a traffic stop, police said. The suspect did not yield to officers and a pursuit started.

Police chased the suspect near La Brea Avenue and Obama Boulevard, where the suspect crashed into another uninvolved vehicle, police said.

"The suspect failed to stop at the scene of the collision and continued fleeing," police said.

The hit-and-run victim had minor injuries, and police decided to stop the pursuit.

"Shortly thereafter, due to the suspect’s erratic driving and the danger posed to the community, the pursuit was discontinued, while the suspect continued to flee," police said.

Later, officers found the suspect's vehicle was involved in a solo traffic crash near Overhill and Springdale drives.

"The suspect’s vehicle ran off the road and collided with a tree, causing the suspect to become entrapped," police said.

Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded and pronounced the suspect dead at the scene. No one else was injured in the crash.

The California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles Police Department’s responded and were handling the investigation.

The suspect, a 35-year-old man whose name was not immediately released, was found to be on probation for burglary with an active felony warrant and priors for burglary, police said.

People seeking further information can contact Culver City Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Estrada at 310-253-6316.