SUV driver leads authorities on wild desert chase through Lancaster
The driver of an SUV was taken into custody Tuesday following a wild high-desert pursuit that lasted more than an hour in Lancaster.
The chase started just after 11 a.m. when Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies tried to detain a man in connection with a possible assault with a deadly weapon, according to Officer Peter Nicholson of the California Highway Patrol.
Deputies followed the driver as he led them down dusty roads and over open land in western Lancaster. After he drove through a large swath of tumbleweed and wild plants, the driver returned to the asphalt.
At that point, deputies hurled spike strips at the vehicle and the driver appeared to drive toward them, but did not hit them. The strip punctured at least one rear tire, which slowly disintegrated and left only a bare rim.
As the man drove east along State Route 138, the driver rolled down his window, turned toward his pursuers and appeared to yell something.
Eventually, a police vehicle was able to perform a precision immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, and spun the SUV into a dirt embankment.
The driver then got out of the SUV and gesticulated wildly at officers before trying to run away. He was tackled after a short chase and taken into custody.
Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
