A man suspected of speeding and possibly stealing a vehicle led California Highway Patrol officers on a pursuit from Ventura County to West Los Angeles this morning at speeds topping 120 mph, a CHP officer said.
The officers first thought they were chasing a speeder but are now investigating the possibility that the vehicle was stolen, said CHP Officer Tony Polizzi.
The incident began at about 1:50 a.m. eastbound on the Ventura (101) Freeway in Thousand Oaks and moved onto the southbound San Diego (405) Freeway,in Thousand Oaks, Polizzi said.
The pursuit ended at about 2:10 a.m. when the suspect missed the off- ramp at Wilshire Boulevard and exited via the Wilshire on-ramp, crashing into a tree which was knocked down by the impact, the officer said.
CHP officer chased the suspect on foot and set up a perimeter in the area, finally collaring him at 3:37 a.m., Polizzi said.
