The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Los Angeles man allegedly driving under the influence in what is believed to be a stolen vehicle caused police to pursue him at a very slow pace for ninety minutes on Tuesday night.
A man suspected of car theft and DUI, later identified as 30-year-old Jose Arqimioes Figueroa, was allegedly seen driving the reportedly heisted vehicle in the San Fernando Valley at approximately 10:15 p.m. on April 31.
Authorities began pursuing the car and attempted to pull him over, but Figueroa reportedly continued coasting along at a speed of between 5-10 mph.
Several measures were implemented by officers including four spike strips that appeared to have damaged the Nissan Sentra but did not cause Figueroa to stop. Nine or more Pursuit Intervention Techniques (PIT), a procedure where police use their vehicles to try to impair and force-stop the vehicle they are pursuing, were performed unsuccessfully, and the suspect remained in motion. Figueroa reportedly obeyed all of the traffic laws by stopping at red lights and signaling while turning during the entire incident as well.
Around 11:30 p.m., civilians began trying to intervene by using their cars to obstruct Figueroa. Others were seen kicking the vehicle and one person attempted to open the car door.
LAPD was eventually able to successfully create a barrier around the vehicle that Figueroa was driving by using two more PIT maneuvers, and he was forced to a stop around 11:45 p.m. in Encino.
No one was reported as injured during the event, but Figueroa stated that he felt as though his breathing was restricted and he was treated at a local hospital.
On Friday morning Figueroa was booked on suspicion of DUI and vehicle theft and he is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail.
If you or someone you love is suspected of DUI or vehicle theft, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.