(KTLA)—A kidnapping suspect who was driving with three young children inside a stolen vehicle led California Highway Patrol officers on a high-speed chase before crashing in Malibu Friday night.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s East L.A. station reported that the call came in at 6:38 p.m., after a car was left running with children inside.
The children’s mother had parked her gray Chrysler sedan with the engine running and her kids inside, who were 2, 6 and 8 years old. The children’s father was waiting nearby in another vehicle. That’s when a stranger suddenly jumped into the Chrysler with the three kids still inside and drove away.
As the male driver sped away from CHP, he eventually T-boned another car and caused a multi-vehicle crash on Pacific Coast Highway near Kanan Dume Road in Malibu.
The male suspect ditched the totaled car and fled the scene as he ran into a nearby brush area. He was barefoot and kept removing pieces of clothing as he ran away from officers.
Paramedics were seen safely removing the three young children from the damaged vehicle. They were confirmed to be conscious and breathing. The male suspect was later arrested by authorities.
All three children were taken to the hospital for observation with non-life-threatening injuries. Another woman who was involved in the Malibu crash was also hospitalized.
Roads in the area were closed to traffic as authorities worked to clear the scene.