Pursuit Involving Juveniles

Published on November 19, 2024

In the early hours of November 19, 2024, at approximately 2:55 a.m., a South Pasadena Police Department officer on patrol observed an older model blue Toyota Corolla commit multiple vehicle code violations. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop by activating the forward-facing red lights on the patrol vehicle, but the driver fled at a high rate of speed.

The officer pursued the vehicle in a chase that lasted approximately three minutes and covered 1.5 miles, with speeds reaching 65 mph. The pursuit concluded when the vehicle yielded at York Boulevard and Branch Street in Los Angeles.

Upon contacting the occupants, officers discovered that both the driver and passenger were 13 years old and had taken the vehicle without their parents' consent for a joyride. The juveniles' parents were contacted and responded to the scene, taking custody of the children. The driver and one parent were cited for reckless evading, with a future appearance date through the Los Angeles County Probation Citation Diversion Program.

The South Pasadena Police Department reminds the public of the importance of parental supervision and ensuring vehicle keys are stored securely to prevent unauthorized access by minors.

Anyone with additional information about this incident is urged to call the South Pasadena Police Department at (626) 403-7270. If you would like to provide an anonymous tip, you can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).