Security officer aids in burglary arrests www.privateofficer.com
Luis Angel Castro, 23, of Long Beach was arrested after allegedly stealing a police car and evading officers for several miles before crashing into another police car, said Long Beach Police Detective Dennis Zigrang.
The incident began at about 7:30 a.m. when an officer saw a security guard chasing a man suspected of burglarizing hotel rooms at Hotel Maya, 700 Queensway Drive, Zigrang said. While the police officer assisted the security guard in the chase, the suspect hid in bushes, then jumped into the unattended police car and sped off. The suspect was apprehended after he ran a red light and smashed into another police cruiser, causing minor injuries to himself and an officer.
Castro, who was already on probation for burglary, faces eight felony charges, including evading arrest, auto theft, burglary, and grand theft of a firearm – because a shotgun and assault rifle were inside the stolen police car, Zigrang said. Castro is also facing two counts of assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly trying hit two people with the vehicle, he added.
In a separate incident, another man was arrested Sunday after allegedly stealing a car in the 3900 block of Lewis Avenue and leading officers on an hourlong chase through the city.
Gregory Galang, 35, of Lakewood was arrested for evading arrest, auto theft and resisting arrest, said Long Beach Police Sgt. Dina Zapalski.
The chase, which began at about 3:30 a.m., ended in the 900 block of Loma Avenue.
