Police almost run over by alleged car thieves

By Robert Salonga
DAILY BRUIN SENIOR STAFF
rsalonga@media.ucla.edu

 

University police are searching for two car theft suspects who
allegedly tried to run over two officers in a haste to escape from
Lot 1 early on the morning of June 25.

The officers fired shots at the car to protect themselves, said
UCPD Lieutenant Manny Garza. He added that no one was injured in
the incident.

The lot is located on Gayley Avenue between Le Conte and
Landfair Avenues.

According to police reports, three male “Hispanics”
were breaking into a white Honda at 1:29 a.m. when security
officers at the medical plaza saw them and contacted UCPD.

Officers approached the B-2 level of the parking structure and
apprehended one suspect, a juvenile not attending UCLA. His name
and background were not available because of his age.

Shortly after, the officers saw a blue Chevrolet Camaro heading
toward them at high speed. Garza said the officers determined that
the remaining suspects were trying to run them over, and the two
officers involved each fired a round at the vehicle.

The Camaro was found abandoned two floors up in the lot. UCPD,
with help from the Los Angeles Police Department, searched the area
but did not find the suspects.

Garza said the officers’ use of their firearms was
appropriate for the situation.

“(Officers) may use deadly force in self-defense … only
when they reasonably believe that serious death or injury is about
to be inflicted upon themselves,” he said.

The juvenile in custody will be charged with vehicle theft. UCPD
detectives will be conducting the investigation, said Nancy
Greenstein, director of police community services.

The three had already broken into one car before they were
caught at the Honda, the report said.

Car theft is a relatively low occurrence at UCLA. Though the
university parks 21,000 a day ““ more than Los Angeles
International Airport ““ only 79 vehicles were reported stolen
in 2001.

If you have any knowledge about the incident, contact UCPD at
(310) 825-1491.

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