CAMARILLO, Cali. (DDN) – A known Los Angeles gang member was charged on Monday with a burglary that escalated into a high-speed chase that culminated in a violent wreck near Camarillo, according to officials.
According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, the incident occurred on January 24, when the guy, 24-year-old Jalen Amir Yoakum of Lancaster, was caught stealing products from a Target store.
Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the suspected theft in Camarillo and discovered surveillance footage of Yoakum allegedly concealing hidden products before fleeing without payment.
Security confronted Yoakum, but he left, according to officials.
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When detectives discovered Yoakum’s automobile nearby, he attempted to avoid arrest by crashing into an undercover law enforcement vehicle and fleeing, leading deputies on a high-speed chase.
The pursuit halted when Yoakum allegedly collided with two automobiles on Santa Rosa Road.
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According to the District Attorney’s Office, the crash flipped one of the two automobiles, gravely wounding the driver and injuring three people.
Yoakum attempted to run again, this time on foot, but was apprehended shortly thereafter, according to officials.
“Following his arrest, authorities recovered a loaded firearm with an extended magazine believed to have been discarded by Yoakum during the pursuit,” the district attorney’s office said in a press release. “He is prohibited from possessing firearms.”
According to the press announcement, Yoakum had outstanding warrants in Los Angeles County for robbery, weapons possession, and probation violation.
He is now facing six felony counts, including avoiding police and causing injury, reckless driving, multiple firearm violations, and two misdemeanor hit-and-run accusations. He is also charged with one count of petty theft, according to officials.
“Additionally, special allegations and aggravating factors have been filed, including a strike prior and an allegation that the crime involved great violence,” the attorney general’s office said.
Yoakum pled not guilty to all counts when he was arraigned on Jan. 30 and is scheduled to appear in court again on Feb. 10.
He is currently being held in the Ventura County Jail on a $2 million bail.
Reference: Los Angeles gang member charged for car chase, crash that left multiple injured
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