California

Man Suspected of Shooting Sister-in-Law Arrested After Erratic Pursuit

The pursuit investigation on the southbound 405 Freeway led to an overnight closure in the Sepulveda Pass

An attempted murder suspect was arrested early Tuesday at the end of an erratic 90-minute chase that led to an overnight closure on the southbound 405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass.

The chase began around 10:45 p.m. Monday in the Reseda area, according to Officer Mike Lopez of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Unit.

The driver in the bizarre chase, which varied from low to high speeds to complete stops, was identified as 32-year-old Marcos Tulio Flores, who police described as a documented gang member. Police confirmed there was an exchange of gunfire during the pursuit.

An officer opened fire at the suspect near Getty Center Drive, said LAPD spokesman Josh Rubenstein. The suspect was not hit.

The suspect led police on an erratic chase that caused the 405 Freeway to be shut down in both directions. He was finally taken into custody by SWAT officers, with the help of a police K9, on the southbound freeway in the Sepulveda Pass area.

He was taken to the hospital and was being treated. There were no reports of injuries to civilians or officers in the chase, police said.

Flores is suspected of shooting the 36-year-old victim in the early morning hours Sunday in the 17500 block of Gilmore Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The victim was shot in the upper body and remains hospitalized in critical condition, police said.

A motive for the shooting has not been disclosed.

The car connected to the shooting was the one police were believed to be chasing and was described as a gray 2004 Acura TL with the California license plate 7ELH285.

Flores will be booked on attempted murder charges, Rubenstein said.

Police Chases

Video from Southern California's police pursuits and follow-ups on what happened after the chase

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Pursuit of Cadillac Escalade with headlights off ends in arrest near downtown LA

The southbound 405 Freeway from the 101 Freeway to Sunset Boulevard was closed through Tuesday morning for the investigation. The road reopened at about 6:30 a.m.

Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to call detectives with the LAPD's West Valley Division at (818) 374-7746 or (818) 374-7880. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222- TIPS.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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