Hostages held in LA-area restaurant as police pursue carjacking suspect

TV stations KNBC and KCAl9 said six people were taken hostage, but it is unclear how many people were inside the restaurant.

A SWAT team killed a gunman Thursday night after he led police on a long auto chase then ran into a crowded restaurant and seized at least four hostages, authorities said.

The pursuit began after a police helicopter got a hit on a stolen auto – a 1998 Honda Civic – through LoJack, the vehicle tracking system, at 6:30 p.m.in Pico Rivera, Parker said. He got out of the auto and fired shots into the air as he ran into the restaurant.

The suspect appeared to fire shots as he ran to Chris & Pitts barbecue restaurant, inside which were dozens of diners, including children, and barricaded himself as police swarmed outside.

The chase, which reached speeds around 80 miles per hour, began in Downey and continued north on freeways and streets for about 45 minutes before the suspect returned to Downey, according to KCAL9.

Los Angeles County police officers surrounded the building and evacuated around 70 patrons before a SWAT team entered around 9 p.m., removing two men in handcuffs. He was involved in at least one hit-and-run collision during the chase.

As the driver was speeding down Lakewood Boulevard, a California Highway Patrol vehicle performed a PIT maneuver that sent the stolen auto crashing into another vehicle, aerial video of the chase showed. The suspect was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies, officials later confirmed.

Workers could be seen exiting the back of the restaurant, while customers including children were running out the front door.

“We needed to confirm they weren’t involved”, Parker said.

“It was extraordinary”, Parker said.

Using a gun to force another auto owner to hand over their keys, the man carjacked a sedan and sped off as police pursued the suspect.

“This was a very risky night”, Parker said, “for law enforcement and the public”.