High-Speed Chase Ends as Car Slams Into Police Cruiser

SANTA ANA — A short but high-speed police chase early Saturday ended with gunshots and the suspects crashing their car into the officer’s vehicle, authorities said. There were no major injuries.

The pursuit started about 4:15 a.m. when a Cypress police officer returning to the police station saw a Honda speed northbound on Bristol Street near 17th Street, Sgt. Edward Bish said.

The two suspects in the Honda tried to evade the officer by turning onto the westbound Garden Grove Freeway. But because they were traveling at a high speed, their car rammed into a street pole. When the officer arrived, he yelled at them to stop, but the suspects failed to do so, Bish said.

“Fearing for his safety, the officer fired at the vehicle,” he said.

None of the bullets struck either of the suspects, but the driver lost control of the car and crashed into the patrol unit. The officer was not harmed.

Both suspects were taken into custody, but only the driver--Jose Delatorre, 29, whose residence was not immediately available--was booked at the Santa Ana City Jail. He was held on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, for allegedly trying to run over the officer, Bish said.