HACIENDA HEIGHTS — Deputies arrested a man and woman Wednesday after they abandoned a stolen car and fled into a Hacienda Heights neighborhood, authorities said.
An automated license place reader alerted deputies that a car heading north on Hacienda Boulevard through Hacienda Heights had been reported stolen Monday in La Habra, Sgt. R. Thurlo of the sheriff’s Industry Station said.
A sheriff’s helicopter quickly arrived overhead and deputies on board watched a man driving the car and a female passenger abandoned the vehicle on La Subida Drive, just west of Hacienda Boulevard, and flee on foot, the sergeant said.
Deputies set up a search perimeter and soon found the driver down in a nearby wash area, Thurlo said. He was arrested without a struggle and taken to a hospital for treatment of a foot or ankle injury apparently suffered as he fled into the wash.
The female suspect was found hiding in some nearby bushes and also arrested without a struggle, Thurlo said. Both were expected to be booked on suspicion of auto theft.
Their names were not available Wednesday pending the booking process.

PHOTO courtesy of the sheriff’s Industry Station.