Crash Kills Robbery Suspect Fleeing Police

A robbery suspect trying to outrun police was killed Wednesday when his getaway car slammed into a telephone pole as he drove off the Santa Monica Freeway in the Mid-City area.

The man, armed with a gun, had robbed a jewelry store at 7380 Melrose Ave. in Hollywood about 12:30 p.m., Sgt. Roger Jackson said. The gunman fired a shot outside the store, but no one was hit.

He then fled in the car, which was spotted by officers as it headed south on La Brea Avenue south of Melrose Avenue, Sgt. Roger Dowis said. The officers chased the suspect onto the eastbound Santa Monica Freeway and he lost control of his vehicle and hit the pole at the bottom of the Crenshaw Boulevard off-ramp. The suspect, whose name was not released, died at the scene.