Mid-day Pursuit Ends with One Arrest

Los Angeles: A man was arrested around 1:20 PM today after he led Los Angeles Police Department officers on a 16-minute pursuit through the Westlake area of Los Angeles.

The pursuit began just after 1:00 PM when Rampart patrol officers received a bulletin about a stolen black BMW convertible over the mobile digital terminals (MDT). The owner had just reported the car taken from his driveway near Beverly Boulevard and Union Avenue, where he had left if running and momentarily unoccupied.

Moments after stealing the car, the suspect stopped at the AM / PM gas station at Temple Street and Alvarado Boulevard, where he demanded gas from the sales clerk. When the clerk refused, the suspect hit him with a crowbar and took money from the cash register, then drove away in the BMW.

The patrol officers recognized the BMW at Beverly Boulevard and Alvarado Street, not far from the gas station. The driver, later identified as Augustus E. Santos, 33, refused to stop for the officers.

The officers brought the pursuit to an end using the PIT maneuver at Hoover Street and Beverly Boulevard. Santo drove the BMW into a wrought iron fence, then backed up toward the officers’ cars. The officers were able to box in the BMW.

Santos fought officers as he got out of the car, but the officers were able to quickly restrain Santos.

Santos, a resident of Carson, Ca, was booked for the robbery of the gas station, and will face additional charges: assault on police officers, evading, and car theft. Officers will evaluate Santos to determine if he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.