Arson suspect taken into custody after standoff, high-speed chase ends at Paramount

PARAMOUNT, Calif. (KABC) – A suspected arson suspect was involved in a dramatic clash with sheriff’s delegates on Thursday morning after a high-speed chase ended on a residential street at Paramount, officials said.

The chase started just before 8 am in Compton and later stopped on Avenida San Jose and Boulevard Somerset, where several patrol vehicles were positioned behind the suspect’s car.

The man was suspected of a possible attempt to set his house on fire after receiving an eviction notice, said a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesman.

Smoke was seen emanating from the vehicle after deputies apparently fired less than lethal shots. At least one of the car’s windows was broken, spilling glass on the street.

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About 30 minutes after the deadlock began, a small flame was visible inside the vehicle. The policemen approached the passenger side and activated a fire extinguisher, spreading a large cloud of retardant, then retreated.

The suspect, who was also wanted for suspected gun possession, remained in the car but went to the back seat.

Later, authorities called three armored vehicles to the scene, which surrounded the driver’s two-door vehicle as the standoff continued.

Several houses had to be evacuated.

The standoff continued for hours before authorities took the suspect into custody at around 11 am.