A 40-year-old Santa Clarita man was arrested Sunday after a stolen work truck pursuit through Santa Monica led to multiple collisions, police said.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), a white Ford F-550 with a trailer was reported stolen around 2:30 p.m. near 3rd Street and Arizona Avenue. The suspect, identified as Walter Albert Fernandez, allegedly fled the area, driving northbound on Pacific Coast Highway and causing several non-injury crashes along the way.
The pursuit ended near Big Rock Drive, where Fernandez crashed the truck and tried to flee on foot toward the shoreline. He was quickly apprehended by SMPD officers with assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Police believe impairment may have been a factor and have launched an investigation into the incident.
Authorities are asking witnesses or anyone with dashcam or cellphone footage of the chase to come forward. Anyone with information is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Lantz Lewis at (310) 458-2201 ext. 5311 or the SMPD Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427.
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