Pursuit suspect apprehended by LAPD K9 after he crashes into a ravine

On February 19, 2023, at around 12:05 a.m., Northeast Division uniformed patrol officers responded to a burglary from motor vehicle (BFMV) radio call at 3700 block of Pasadena Avenue. When the officers arrived, they met with the person reporting, who verified that a burglary from a motor vehicle had occurred.

Officers obtained a suspect description from the person reporting. While still at the scene, officers observed the possible suspect, later identified as Ricardo Penaloza, near Avenue 38 and Midland Street.

Penaloza appeared from around the corner, saw the officers, and fled on foot into a nearby dark-colored Chevrolet pick-up truck. He then drove away from the officers at a high rate of speed.

A vehicle pursuit was then initiated, which traveled through the Mount Washington area of the Northeast Division. The pursuit terminated when Penaloza lost control of his vehicle, veered off the road, and crashed into a ravine. Penaloza once again fled on foot from the traffic collision scene, and a perimeter was established in the surrounding neighborhood. Metropolitan Division K9 officers responded to the perimeter and conducted a K9 search. After a lengthy search, Penaloza was discovered in a crawl space underneath a residence, where a K9 contact occurred.

During the K9 contact, Penaloza sustained an injury. A short time later, he surrendered to officers and was taken into custody without further incident.

Suspect Penaloza was transported by Rescue Ambulance to a local hospital, where he was hospitalized for his injury.