Suspect arrested after leading police on chase in stolen big rig cab

A man was taken into custody Thursday after allegedly stealing a big rig cab that burst into flames on the Golden State (5) Freeway in Castaic.

California Highway Patrol units began pursuing the truck cab — which was reported stolen from Kern County — about 2:40 p.m. in the Gorman area.

The driver refused to yield to authorities and fled at slow speeds on the Golden State Freeway through the Newhall area into Castaic, at one point driving over a spike strip. The front tires of the big rig cab eventually fell off the rims, which began sparking against the asphalt of the freeway.

The truck burst into flames about 3:20 p.m. near Lake Hughes Road, prompting the driver to stop and surrender to police. He was taken into custody without further incident as fire crews were called to the scene to douse the flames.

Firefighters were attempting to extinguish the fire as of about 3:30 p.m.

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