MONTEBELLO — A man wanted on suspicion of running down his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend with a vehicle led Montebello police on a car chase Friday before being arrested, authorities said.
Marco Mendoza, 45, of East Los Angeles was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and felony evading, Montebello police Lt. Kelly Gordon said.
The chase started about 10 p.m. Friday at the Best Inn, 525 Washington Blvd. in Montebello, the lieutenant said, when Mendoza failed to pull over for officers while driving a van, Gordon said. Mendoza was being sought in connection with a Sept. 4 assault in East Los Angeles.
During the pursuit covered on live television, the driver of the white van sped away from police and tried to evade them on the 60 and 5 freeways.
The suspect eventually exited the freeway, wound through several alleys and struck at least one parked car before he drove into Salazar Park, near Alma Avenue and Whittier Boulevard, Gordon said.
Patrol cars blocked the path of the van. One police car pinned the driver’s door shut.
Mendoza was then arrested without further incident, examined at hospital for a pre-existing injury and jailed, Gordon said.
According to sheriff’s booking records, Mendoza was being held without bail.