By Stephen Hadland
Observer Publisher
Traffic was snarled throughout Downtown Culver City much of Monday afternoon as a high speed chase from Santa Clarita ended in Culver City near Van Buren Place and Lucerne Avenue.
The Culver City Police Department issued an alert at 1:49 pm for motorist to avoid the area stating, "The LAPD is currently involved in police activity in the area...Police helicopters and police officers are searching for an outstanding suspect. Please avoid the area, remain in your homes, and report any suspicious activity by calling 911."
The man, identified by police as only as Pedro, led authorities on the chase with speeds of more than 100 mph. After reaching Culver City and crashing into a gate at an apartment complex he abandoned the white SUV and barricaded himself on the roof of an apartment building on Lucerne for more than three hours before surrendering.
The suspect was reportedly wanted in a drive-by shooting in Newhall and on suspicion of a drug-related charge.
At approximately 5 p.m. after police using a diversionary flash-bang grenade and ordering him to "put down that gun" took the suspect into custody.
Police reported that one other person also was taken into custody at the end of the chase along Ballona Creek.
The pursuit started about 12:45 p.m. in Newhall, and then led onto the Antelope Valley Freeway, the Golden State Freeway and the Hollywood Freeway.
Police from several departments, including Culver City and sheriff's deputies surrounded the building with police and news helicopters flying overhead.
At 5:30 pm the Culver City Police announced that all of the road closures in the area of Lucerne Ave. and Van Buren Pl. related to the police activity had been lifted.
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