Los Angeles

Passenger Throws Items Out the Car Window During OC Pursuit That Ends in San Diego County

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Three people were taken into custody after a pursuit of a white SUV began in Orange County and ended in San Diego Friday night.

Police responded to a witness’ report around 7:30 p.m. that a man was attempting to steal a car’s catalytic converter on the 2300 block of Fairview in the City of Costa Mesa, according to Lt. Bryan Wadkins of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

Shortly after, the male removed the converter and got into a waiting vehicle. Responding officers located the car in the nearby area attempted to make a traffic stop, but the car failed to yield, fled, and went into a pursuit, Wadkins said.

The vehicle got onto the northbound CA-55 in Costa Mesa when CHP was notified and took over the pursuit. The vehicle was blacked out and reaching almost 100 mph on the highway, Wadkins confirmed.

The pursuit traveled along multiple freeways including westbound CA-91 and northbound I-5 into Los Angeles County before turning around south bound along I-5 all the way back into Orange and subsequently San Diego County, Wadkins said.

Wadkins said the driver of the SUV made his way back to Orange County when at least one passenger in the back seat was seen throwing what appeared to be car parts out of the window.

The suspects were arrested at the end of the pursuit and Costa Mesa police were on their way to San Diego to pick up the suspects, Wadkins said.

Costa Mesa police will also be retrieving evidence from along the freeway that was thrown from the vehicle during the course of the pursuit, Wadkins said.

It was unclear how many occupants were in the vehicle.

No further details were immediately available.

This is a developing story from NBC LA, please check back for updates.

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