Officers Pursue Domestic Violence Suspect

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, November 30, 1999
On Monday, November 22, 1999, at approximately 8:05 P.M., Foothill Area Patrol Officers responded to a domestic violence call in the Sunland/Tujunga area where they took a domestic violence report from a woman who had been beaten and doused with gasoline by a live-in boyfriend. The boyfriend, Suspect-Carlos Vasquez, male Hispanic, 30 years old, threatened to light his girlfriend on fire and fled the location in his vehicle and remained outstanding.

On Monday, November 29, 1999, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Foothill Area Patrol Officers spotted Vasquez in his vehicle traveling eastbound on Foothill Boulevard at Mount Gleason and attempted to stop him. A ten minute long vehicle pursuit ensued which terminated with the suspect colliding with a guard rail on the side of a steep mountainside at the 5.3 mile mark of Big Tujunga Canyon Road. The suspect continued in his attempt to evade police by running from his vehicle and jumping over the guardrail and into a steep canyon. Earlier in the pursuit, one pursuing patrol car was involved in a traffic collision, which disabled the vehicle; however, the patrol officers sustained only minor injures.

Because of the darkness and steep terrain, the pursuing Foothill Patrol Officers summoned for additional help in an attempt to find the suspect. The Monrovia Police Department and County Sheriff’s (SEB Team) responded and assisted in a search and rescue effort of the outstanding suspect. At approximately 4:30 a.m., on Tuesday, November 30, 1999, the search and rescue team was able to locate Vasquez who had fallen approximately 400 feet into the canyon which at one point had a 70 foot drop of rocky terrain. Vasquez sustained numerous injuries from his fall including a fractured pelvis, abrasions and lacerations. Vasquez was transported to USC Medical Center where he is being treated for his injuries.

It is expected that Vasquez will be booked later today on charges of felony domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, felony evading and felony hit and run resulting in great bodily injury.

For any additional information or questions, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

For Release 10:55 am PST
November 30, 1999