Burbank Police Department News Release: Two Juveniles Arrested Following Police Pursuit

Burbank, CA (July 20, 2023) – Two juveniles from Bakersfield are in custody after committing an assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, and leading police on a pursuit Wednesday evening.

The incident occurred on July 19, 2023.  At about 9:20 p.m., Burbank Police responded to the West Garage of the Burbank Town Center, located at 550 North First Street, regarding a report of a reckless driver.  The witness provided a description of the vehicle, driver, and license plate number.

Police officers arrived within minutes and located the suspect driving recklessly through the garage as described by the witness.  Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused and drove at a high rate of speed, towards an exit.  The driver collided with a responding police vehicle, causing significant damage to the police car, and injuring the officer. 

Police officers attempted to stop the car again; however, the driver refused to yield, leading police on a pursuit.  The driver committed numerous traffic violations and reached high speeds as he continued through the City of Burbank.

The pursuit came to an end when the driver lost control of the vehicle and came to a stop on Interstate 5 Highway at Empire Avenue.  The driver and passenger of the vehicle were quickly apprehended. The vehicle was determined to have been reported stolen from Bakersfield. 

The officer was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  He has since been examined, treated, and released. 

The suspects have been identified as a 16-year-old female juvenile and a 17-year-old male juvenile, both residents of Bakersfield. Both were arrested and booked for multiple felonies. 

Formal charges are pending review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

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Questions regarding this statement should be directed to Sergeant Brent Fekety at (818)238-3240 or [email protected]