Deputies detained a reckless driving suspect after a brief confrontation in Valencia early Wednesday afternoon.
The call began shortly after 1 p.m. due to deputies reportedly spotting a vehicle being driven recklessly, which came to a stop near the intersection of Creekside Road and Valencia Boulevard, according to Sheriff’s Information Bureau officials.
“They’re utilizing a Bearcat, spike strips, aero is overhead, (the Los Angeles County Fire Department officials) are staging and our mental evaluation team is on scene, as well,” said Deputy Juanita Navarro during the initial response.
The important thing, Navarro said, is that they are trying to safely secure the individual in the vehicle.
Navarro said a Bearcat is an armored vehicle used for a tactical approach by members of both the Special Enforcement Bureau and deputies.
“It is a resource that our station personnel use,” said Navarro. “If they can use an armored vehicle to safely approach a situation where you have the high probability of gunfire exchange, especially if you don’t know what the suspect has, then that is the safest way to approach.”
Roads were temporarily closed in the surrounding area until the suspect was safely taken into custody, according to SCV Sheriff’s Station officials.
The suspect was taken into custody shortly after the car stopped on Creekside and the Bearcat was deployed, according to Shirley Miller, a spokeswoman for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
The suspect was taken away by ambulance from the scene at 1:44 p.m., according to Marvin Lim, a spokesman for the Fire Department.
There was no information regarding the patient’s status or injuries as of the publication of this story.
