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News, Santa Monica, Police Department
BMW Car Chase Ends In Santa Monica After Deputies Use Flash Bang Grenades
Posted Jul. 18, 2013, 12:44 pm
Brenton Garen / Editor-in-Chief
Santa Monica residents who live near the intersection of Stanford Street and Santa Monica Boulevard were woken early Thursday morning to the sounds of police helicopters and sirens after a car chase came to a dramatic end in the neighborhood.
According to reports, the chase involved a man in his 30s who had allegedly stolen a BMW 6-Series convertible at around 1 am in West Hollywood and began fleeing west along Santa Monica Boulevard.
A Santa Monica resident told The Mirror he and his fiancé were awakened by a low flying helicopter using its spotlight to circle Stanford.
“They made a few announcements over their loudspeaker but we couldn't understand it clearly,” the resident said. “This went on for 20 minutes or more.”
The sheriff’s helicopter loud speaker was ordering the suspect to surrender, who was surrounded by sheriff's vehicles who had pursued the suspect.
At about 2:30 am, deputies made the decision to fire beanbag-type rounds at the car to break its windows so flash bang grenades could be thrown into the vehicle, according to reports.
The suspect finally exited the passenger side door after tear gas was fired into the BMW.
He was arrested without incident and no-one was injured.
Click here to view Loudlabs News video footage of the incident.
Comments
Jul. 18, 2013, 1:25:50 pm
Aspeth said...
Announcements included: "Residents between Arizona and Santa Monica, we are in pursuit of a suspect, stay inside your homes with your doors locked." This apparently did not deter onlookers, because then I heard, "Go back inside your house, NOW. You are in the line of fire. I repeat, go back in the house and lock your door." Some people just can't help themselves. I myself need several rounds of coffee to get through the day after not sleeping half the night...YAWN
Jul. 18, 2013, 4:00:18 pm
stewart said...
I look at it differently than Aspeth, 'they' are the ones who live there, and had their lives interupted, and they are already in the line of fire whether they are outside or inside cowering in their homes. And perhaps over all else, they have a right to witness the unfoldibng events.
Jul. 19, 2013, 9:31:09 am
Jeff Marx said...
I bet the owner was thrilled to get his BMW back with the windows shot out and tear-gas permeating the upholstery! Not to make light of a car-theft, but why, exactly, were a helicopter, several sheriff's vehicles and who knows how many personel utilized for this? Was there someone else in the car being abducted? Had the suspect injured anyone with the car? Lot of time, energy, and expense put into this one!
Jul. 18, 2013, 6:57:31 pm
pm said...
I was one of the people on Stanford cowering in my home until it was over. It was crazy. Had to follow the whole thing on twitter via citizen journalism posts from my neighbors, just to understand what was going on. Why isn't there a reliable local news source and/or police source on twitter for emergencies in Santa Monica?
Jul. 19, 2013, 8:21:07 am
Amy said...
They found the car and we all lost my sleep.