A kidnapping suspect who led a Hummer pursuit through Orange County before escaping authorities during an hourslong standoff has been captured, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday night.
Thomas Ueno was on the run since Monday night, nearly a day after eluding authorities, officials said. He allegedly disappeared into the brush on a rugged hillside during a standoff with police the night before.
He was taken into custody near a bus stop in the 17800 block of Kensington Avenue in Cerritos at 7 p.m. Tuesday, deputies said.
The bus stop was located in the neighborhood where his mother lives, NBC4 learned.
He allegedly led a slow-speed pursuit through several Orange County cities that came to an end near Castaways Park in Newport Beach, when the Hummer's battery died.
"That’s why we took so many precautions - the distance from the pursuit - we were afraid he might be armed," Lt. Al Martinez, Huntington Park police, said. "He did have a history of weapons violations. We were concerned he may have been armed with a gun."
A replica gun as well as a toy gun were found in and near the Hummer, officials said.
It wasn't immediately clear if Ueno had an attorney.
The driver refused to pull over at 4:47 p.m. in Buena Park and led authorities on a multi-city chase before an hourslong standoff began near Dover and 16th streets in Newport Beach.
California Highway patrolmen and police chased the Hummer on streets and freeways. Much of the chase north from Los Angeles County was on the 5 Freeway.
Amid the standoff, Ueno freed the boys and his ex-girlfriend from the Hummer before taking off up the rugged hillside. His ex-girlfriend and boys, ages 1 and 5, were not injured, police said.
Crimes allegedly committed by Ueno date back to 2001, including traffic violations, theft, evading police, domestic violence, violating a restraining order, and child abuse and endangerment.
