A 40-minute police pursuit of a suspected stolen Mercedes-Benz SUV ended Thursday night when California Highway Patrol officers executed a PIT maneuver on the eastbound 10 Freeway in Los Angeles’ University Park area.
The driver, later identified as Luis Gutierrez, was taken into custody after the maneuver caused the vehicle to spin and come to a stop near the 110 interchange. The pursuit began just before 10 p.m. after the vehicle was reported stolen in Lakewood, California.
Core Facts of the Incident
- The white Mercedes-Benz SUV was reported stolen from Lakewood, prompting a multi-agency response.
- The suspect, Luis Gutierrez, was arrested following a PIT maneuver that deflated the vehicle’s tires and brought it to a controlled stop.
Details of the Pursuit
During the chase, Gutierrez drove erratically through South Los Angeles surface streets and highways, occasionally stopping at red lights and obeying traffic signals. Officers deployed spike strips at least twice, but the suspect continued driving despite damage to a rear tire. Footage captured Gutierrez briefly exiting the vehicle at one point, yelling at officers before re-entering and resuming the pursuit.
The pursuit escalated when the SUV’s rear tire shredded completely, leaving the vehicle traveling on the rim before Gutierrez entered the eastbound 10 Freeway. CHP officers then executed the PIT maneuver, causing the Mercedes to spin and stop. The rear hatch of the SUV flew open during the maneuver, spilling clothing onto the roadway.
Arrest and Charges
Gutierrez exited the vehicle after the maneuver and was taken into custody without further incident. He was charged with vehicle theft and evading police, according to the California Highway Patrol. The stolen vehicle was recovered at the scene.
Law Enforcement Response
Sergeant Christian Stevens of the CHP confirmed the pursuit lasted 38 minutes, beginning at 9:58 p.m. and ending at 10:36 p.m. Stevens noted that Gutierrez’s actions included stopping at red lights and complying with some traffic laws, though he refused repeated orders to exit the vehicle. The use of the PIT maneuver was reported as a standard tactic to safely terminate the pursuit.
The incident involved coordination between the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which initially reported the stolen vehicle, and the California Highway Patrol, which led the pursuit.