Pursuit Ends Inside North Hollywood’s Starbucks Coffee Shop

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, January 19, 1999
On Friday, January 15, 1999, at 6:40 AM, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department North Hollywood Division located a stolen vehicle southbound on Lankershim Boulevard and Sylvan Street. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and became involved in a vehicle pursuit. The pursuit lasted approximately 30 seconds. The stolen vehicle ran a red light at Lankershim Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue, swerved to avoid a MTA bus and crashed into the Starbucks Coffee Shop at 5100 block of Lankershim Blvd.

One of the two suspects exited the vehicle, which was now completely inside the restaurant and attempted to take a customer hostage. Officers rushed the suspect, freed the customer and took both suspects into custody. Both suspects sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision and were transported to local hospitals. Four patrons inside the establishment suffered minor injuries. Two were treated and released at scene and two were taken to area hospitals, treated and released. One of the four officers was taken to a local hospital after inhaling fumes resulting from the totaled vehicle.

There were no other injuries and no collisions between the police vehicles and the stolen vehicle. Substantial damage occurred to the front and interior of Starbucks Coffee Shop. East and west traffic on Magnolia at Lankershim Boulevard was diverted for two hours.

The driver of the suspect vehicle was identified as Timothy March, male, White, DOB 2/7/79, and a resident of North Hollywood. March obtained minor abrasions to his knees.

The passenger was identified as Jeffrey Tanigawa, male, Asian, DOB 4/24/78. Tanigawa obtained minor abrasions to his back and left shoulder.

The suspects were arrested and booked at Van Nuys Jail. Additionally, both suspects are being investigated for possible involvement in multiple burglaries that took place in the West Valley Area.

For further information, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Media Relations Unit at (213) 485-3586.

For Release 9:15 am PST
January 19, 1999