A suspected copper wire thief was struck and killed Monday running across the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway away from police in Tustin.
The 32-year-old Santa Ana man's name was not immediately released because authorities have not yet notified all of his family members, California Highway Patrol Officer Anselmo Templado said.
About 11:25 a.m., the suspect was stealing copper wire from a building "in broad daylight, throwing it to the ground'' near First Street and Yorba Avenue, Tustin police Lt. Ryan Coe said.
The suspect was pushing a shopping cart of the cooper from the scene when officers were arriving, Coe said. Apparently when he saw the officers he "ditched the stolen property, jumped a side of fence to the side of the freeway," Coe said.
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While officers were setting up a perimeter to contain the suspect he decided to dart across the freeway and was struck by a car in the northbound lanes at First and Fourth streets, Coe said.
Authorities had to block all lanes for about 30 minutes, Templado said. But as of 1:15 p.m., the three right lanes were open again, Templado said.
