Parolee released under new, weakened parole supervision arrested after chase, crashes

EL MONTE -- Police arrested a parolee who was recently released from prison under the state's new early release program following a chase that resulted in several crashes Tuesday, authorities said.
Angel Estrada, 25, of La Puente was booked on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, felony evading police, possession of a stolen gun, possession of a loaded firearm and being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm, El Monte police Lt. Ken Alva said.
A witness called police shortly after 6 p.m. to report seeing Estrada with a handgun tucked into his waistband as he sat in a white Ford Expedition near at Klingerman Street and Mountain View Road, the lieutenant said. The sport utility vehicle had driven off when police arrived.
"Ground units caught up with it near the area of Garvey and Durfee (avenues)," Alva said.
Estrada allegedly made a sharp right turn onto Durfee Avenue before colliding with a Foothill Transit Bus, the lieutenant said. The collision resulted in minor damage to the bus. None of the 12 passengers on board were injured, he said.
The SUV continued southbound on Durfee Avenue at high speed and crashed into traffic at Valley Boulevard, Alva said.
The SUV struck one car, forcing it to rear-end the car in front of it, he said. The SUV then flipped onto its side and slid into another vehicle.
Five people in the involved cars reported minor injuries, Alva said.
Estrada got out of the damaged SUV and tried to flee on foot before police caught up with him, shocked him with a Taser and took him into custody, Alva said. An allegedly stolen handgun was found in the SUV.
Estrada was treated for minor injuries and booked into jail at the El Monte Police Department.
Estrada was released from prison under the state's new "non-revocable parole" status, officials said, meaning he did not have the traditional oversight given to parolees in the past. The program began in January as a way to reduce the state's over-crowded prison population.
Parolees released under this status cannot be returned to prison for simple parole violations, but must commit a new crime to be re-arrested, according to parole officials. The program is limited to convicts considered non-violent and "low-risk."
Estrada had no convictions for violent crimes, court records show.
Estrada was most recently convicted in Pomona Superior Court in February 2007 of transporting drugs into the state, according to court records.
He was also convicted of drug possession in May 2006, as well as possession of marijuana in August of the same year.
According to sheriff's booking records, Estrada was being held without bail. No information on his initial court appearance was available.