Kidnapper Arrested after Long Pursuit

Los Angeles: Kidnapper arrested after leading police in a long chase early Saturday morning.

On January 26, 2008, at about 2:00 a.m., Rampart officers received a radio call “Assault with a Deadly Weapon In Progress” at the 200 block of North Toluca Street.

Officers met with the victim who said that the estranged father of her children, Orlando Sanchez, had arrived at her home uninvited and said that he was going to kill her. After hitting the victim and her mother, Sanchez dragged the victim into a Dodge Ram Truck that he had stolen earlier in the evening. Sanchez kidnapped her and rammed the victim’s parked car. The victim pleaded with him not to kill her and managed to escape from Sanchez. Officers immediately put out a crime broadcast with the suspect’s vehicle description and the nature of the crime.

While at the scene conducting their investigation, officers observed Sanchez returning to the scene. Rampart units were responding to the area to assist when they observed Sanchez’s vehicle. They attempted to stop Sanchez however he didn’t comply with their directions and drove away in the stolen truck.

Officers initiated a pursuit of the suspect northbound on the Hollywood freeway 101. With an LAPD helicopter in the sky Sanchez lead the officers on a 77-plus mile chase northbound 101 to the northbound 5 freeway. Sanchez stopped the stolen vehicle numerous times, however each time he would get back in the truck and speed off.

California Highway Patrol eventually took over the pursuit with LAPD Rampart officers assisting as Sanchez sped toward the Grapevine.

As Sanchez was heading down the Grapevine approaching Bakersfield, he mistook the Emergency Runaway Truck Ramp for an exit. The gravel used to stop runaway trucks immediately immobilized the stolen vehicle.

Sanchez was immediately taken into custody by Rampart Officers.

Suspect Orlando Sanchez was booked for Kidnapping with a request for additional filing for Carjacking, Vandalism, Criminal Threats, Spousal Abuse and Felony Evading. His bail is set for $100,000.00.

Anyone with information is asked to call Rampart Detectives at 213-207-2000. During off-hours or on weekends call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).