A man driving an allegedly stolen U-Haul box truck and towing a trailer was arrested early Tuesday after leading authorities on a two-hour chase through Orange and Los Angeles counties that ended with the truck in flames.
The man was taken into custody shortly before 7 a.m. after he exited the westbound Artesia (91) Freeway in Bellflower, stopped the vehicle and ran off — jumping some fences and walls before his arrest.
Firefighters extinguished the flames, which had spread to the truck’s cab. The man’s name was not immediately available.
Authorities began chasing the truck some time before 5 a.m. in the Buena Park area, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The truck led officers onto the westbound Pomona (60) Freeway and onto the northbound Golden State (5) Freeway in East Los Angeles, and ended up going south on the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway in the Downey-Norwalk area about 6 a.m.
A short time later, the truck was on the eastbound 91 Freeway again, heading toward Orange County. Along the way, its front tires were damaged by a spike strip.
About 6:25 a.m., the truck was heading west on the 91 Freeway in the La Palma area, and flames were seen from the front tires.
About 6:45 a.m., the truck exited the freeway in the Bellflower area, and the driver stopped just north of the freeway and ran from the burning truck. After the man stopped, the flames spread to the truck’s cab before being extinguished.
