Man Flips Stolen Car, Escapes After Chase on 118 Freeway

Authorities are seeking the public’s help in locating a man who led police Friday on a high-speed chase from Ventura County into the San Fernando Valley before rolling the car over on the Ronald Reagan Freeway and running away.

At 2:50 p.m., Ventura County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of a stolen vehicle in the 200 block of Science Drive in Moorpark. A witness described the car as well as a second vehicle--a red Chevrolet Astro van--that followed it out of a parking lot.

A vehicle matching the stolen car’s description was spotted a short time later by deputies on the Ronald Reagan Freeway at Rocky Peak Fire Road. The driver led authorities on a pursuit east into Los Angeles County at speeds reaching 90 mph, according to Sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Paige.

A sheriff’s helicopter joined the pursuit, as did Los Angeles police officers.

The driver lost control of the vehicle near the Reseda Boulevard offramp and fled the scene. Authorities searched for the man in a nearby residential area but were not able to find him. The van also was not located.

Officials called off the search at 4:45 p.m.

Authorities are also investigating a report of a shot being fired by one of the officers. It is not known whether the man was injured.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The man is described as Latino, 6 feet tall, with short, dark hair. He was wearing a blue shirt and blue pants cut off below the knees.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at (805) 494-TALK.