Man Who Stole LAPD Cruiser Loses Leg After Patrol Car Crashes Into Mid-City Starbucks
A 25-year-old man who stole an LAPD cruiser today lost a leg when the patrol car hit a light pole and crashed into a Starbucks in Mid-City, police said.
NBC Los Angeles (screen grab)
The Ford Crown Victoria was left unattended by a supervisor who was at the scene of a robbery investigation at a motel at La Brea Avenue and Adams Boulevard when the suspect hopped in and tore off, Sgt. Rudy Lopez told the Weekly.
It all started ...
View more videos at: http://nbclosangeles.com.
... about 3:55 a.m., he said.
Cops figured out where the black-and-white ended up, at the Starbucks at La Brea and San Vicente Boulevard, when someone nearby reported that an "officer needs help," Lopez said.
A witness said the patrol car appeared to be doing 80 miles per hour when it wrecked.
Los Angeles Fire Department rescuers rushed to the scene and opened up the vehicle only to find the suspect, who was hospitalized in critical condition, he said:
They picked up the leg and transported it with the ambulance.
Yep.
View LAPD cruiser crash in a larger map
As you can see from NBC Los Angeles video, the patrol car was destroyed. If he survives, the suspect will be booked on suspicion of grand theft auto, Lopez said.
No word yet on whether doctors could reattach the leg.
The supervisor who left the car unattended, unlocked and possibly with the engine running, might or might not be subject to an investigation. That's up to the Southwest Division commanding officer, according to Lopez.
He noted that cops have the option to hop out of their cars and leave them unlocked and running, but that usually applies to "tactical situations."
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
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