Thursday, April 19, 2007
Arrest caps high-speed chase
Pursuit ends in Placentia after federal agents serving firearm warrant in Lakewood see man flee in pickup.
By DENISSE SALAZAR
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

PLACENTIA – A 30-year-old man described as a violent gang member with a decade-long criminal history was arrested after a high-speed chase that started in Lakewood early Thursday morning and ended in Placentia almost an hour later.

Juan Pablo Camacho, 30, has been deported twice to Mexico and was wanted for re-entering the country illegally. He lived in Lakewood and is suspected of being involved in numerous crimes including gang activity, narcotics and illegal firearms.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently learned he was back in the United States and a hunt began.

Just before 6 a.m. an ICE team showed up at Camacho's residence with a federal arrest warrant and a search warrant. Agents found him in a black pickup truck. They tried to detain him but Camacho took off.

"His actions (Wednesday) proved that he has no respect for law enforcement or the public," said Kevin Cozak, deputy special ICE agent in charge in Los Angeles. "This is someone who needs to be in prison."

Los Angeles sheriff's deputies, two helicopters – one from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and one from the Los Angeles Police Department - assisted. Placentia police joined the chase once Camacho entered the city.

About 6:45 a.m. the chase ended on Linda Vista Avenue and Rose Drive after Camacho struck a red Toyota Prius, spun out of control and hit a wall, Placentia police Lt. Dale Carlson said.

After the crash, Camacho jumped out of the truck and ran before surrendering. The driver of the Prius was taken to Placentia Linda Hospital complaining of pain and was later released, Carlson said.

Camacho spent most of Thursday in an ICE detention cell before he was turned over to U.S. Marshals, Cozak said adding that additional charges will likely be added resulting from the pursuit.

Since ICE started Operation Community Shield in 2005 that targets transnational gangs, about 400 gang members have been arrested in L.A., Cozak said.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3709 or desalazar@ocregister.com
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