Juvenile Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Ends in Crash and on Foot Chase

El Centro, CA — A juvenile suspect is in custody following a stolen vehicle pursuit that ended in a crash and foot chase late Sunday night, according to the El Centro Police Department.

Around 11:30 p.m., patrol officers located a stolen vehicle in the 1600 block of Euclid Avenue. When officers attempted a high-risk felony traffic stop, the driver failed to yield and fled at a high rate of speed.

As the suspect approached the intersection of Imperial Avenue and eastbound Euclid, the vehicle struck a dip in the road, causing the driver to lose control. The car collided with a utility pole and a parked vehicle before coming to a stop.

The suspect then exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a nearby residential area. Officers from the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and Imperial Police Department responded to assist. Together, they established a perimeter around the neighborhood.

Members of the El Centro Police Department’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Drone Team deployed a drone to aid in the search. The drone operator quickly located the suspect hiding beneath a staircase at a nearby apartment complex and directed ground units to the location.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

Police confirmed the driver was a juvenile. He was booked into Juvenile Hall on multiple felony charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading, and hit-and-run.

Authorities commended the coordinated response between agencies, highlighting the use of drone technology as a key factor in the suspect’s apprehension.