09.02.2019 | 12:20 AM | NEWPORT BEACH – A reported heist of three vehicles from a BMW dealership ended with one man crashing into a building after a short pursuit, early Monday morning.
Authorities responded to reports of a burglary in progress with three vehicles possibly being stolen from the Sterling BMW dealership located in the 3000 block of West Coast Highway around 12:20 AM.
Units responding to the call located a newer-model blue BMW sedan fleeing the area and attempted to perform a traffic stop.
The driver of the vehicle failed to yield and led officers on a brief high-speed pursuit going northbound on West Coast Highway.
The chase came to an end when the driver crashed into the former Pine Knot Motel, and recently proposed site of a homeless shelter, before fleeing on foot.
Officers quickly established a perimeter surrounding the scene of the crash and located the suspect an unspecified time later with the assistance of a police helicopter and K9.
Officials confirmed the vehicle that was crashed in the pursuit was checked-in for service at the dealership when it was stolen.
It was not immediately clear whether the initial reports of three vehicles being stolen were confirmed.
An investigation is ongoing.
