A carjacker was taken into custody after leading authorities on a pursuit that ended with a standoff early Thursday morning.
El Monte police officers were conducting an "unrelated investigation" when they spotted a car wanted in a carjacking and kidnapping "broadcast early that evening," El Monte police said in a statement.
The officers, who were not wearing uniforms, tried to stop the driver on foot, according to authorities. Although the driver attempted to drive over one officer, none of the officers were injured.
When the officers returned to their police cars, the man led authorities on a pursuit through the 10, 605, 60, and 57 freeways, that lasted under 48 minutes, police said.
The California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit when it reached the 210 Freeway, and continued for about an hour.
The chase ended with a brief standoff in Whittier on Colima Road and Mar Vista Street, after the driver's car "became disabled," police said in a statement.
The driver, later identified as Steven Amaya, 28, was taken into custody. Police noted he is a known gang member.
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Amaya was booked with carjacking, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, and for evading arrest, according to El Monte police. The original crime which involved a carjacking and kidnapping was still under investigation.
