The driver of a big rig truck that police believe was stolen was taken into custody in Buena Park after a multi-county chase Wednesday morning.
The Fontana Police Department began the pursuit after the vehicle’s license plates didn’t match the vehicle, said Officer Steven Reed.
In addition, a passenger in the vehicle tried to get out but wasn’t allowed to exit the big rig by the driver, the passenger’s daughter told police. The nature of the relationship between driver and passenger has not yet been disclosed.
The pursuit, which traveled through San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange counties, nearly ended at about 11 a.m. when a BearCat armored vehicle smashed into the truck.
That didn’t stop the chase, but about five minutes later, the vehicle stopped in a Buena Park intersection, with both driver and passenger surrendering to police.
Later Wednesday afternoon, police confirmed that the BearCat acted intentionally “to assist in safely ending the pursuit.”
While BearCat vehicles are not certified for PIT maneuvers — the precision immobilization technique police often use to try to halt a fleeing vehicle — the driver of the BearCat is certified, as “the officer operating the vehicle must be … in order to conduct such a maneuver.”
In addition, a SWAT commander approved the BearCat’s tactics.
Nancy Fontan and Nidia Becerra contributed to this report.
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