Suspect In Carjacking Standoff in Redondo Beach Charged

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA -- The carjacking suspect who allegedly led authorities on a slow-speed chase from South Gate through the beach cities before surrendering in Redondo Beach was charged Friday with two felony counts.

Carlos Mercado, 27, was charged with one count each of carjacking and fleeing a pursuing peace officer's motor vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. It's unclear when he will be arraigned on these charges.

The suspected carjacking occurred about 8 a.m. at 68th Street and Central Avenue, in the unincorporated Florence area, according to the sheriff's department. Patrolling South Gate police officers saw the vehicle a short time later and began chasing it.

At points, the chase reached reckless levels with the driver driving backward at a high speed while swerving to evade police. At one point, the driver evaded a spike strip. At times, bystanders were seen throwing items at the vehicle while others tried to block it.

The driver continued onto Manhattan Beach through Hermosa Beach and ended in Redondo Beach after deputies performed a PIT maneuver.

The car came to a stop and was pinned against a sidewalk in the Redondo Beach area. The driver did not emerge from the vehicle, which had the ridesharing logo for LYFT on its window.

Officers boxed in the SUV with their patrol cars and pointed weapons at the vehicle, and the standoff began that resulted in some nearby homes being evacuated.

A sheriff's SWAT team then arrived at the scene and its heavily armored vehicles drove up against the SUV, with Mercado later surrendering without further incident.

Mercado has remained in jail since he was arrested late Wednesday morning by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies, according to the sheriff's Inmate Information Center website.

Patch editor Paige Austin and City News Service contributed to this report. Photo via Shutterstock