Suspect in Anaheim-to-Yorba Linda chase airlifted out of Santa Ana River

A man suspected of leading police in a pursuit from Anaheim to Yorba Linda had to be rescued and taken to a hospital after he drove through a gate, abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into the Santa Ana River on Tuesday, Dec. 4.

The chase started sometime before 5:10 p.m. after a motorist in a stolen Nissan Rogue hopped a center divider and drove through the truck lane at the Windy Ridge Toll Plaza on the 241 Toll Road in Anaheim, according to California Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Kovaletz.

The driver continued moving north before merging onto eastbound lanes of the 91 Freeway, eventually exiting on Weir Canyon in Yorba Linda, according to Kovaletz. He said the suspect then drove through a gate and crashed his car into a fence at the nearby Savi Ranch shopping center, and attempted to flee on foot into the Santa Ana River.

A CHP helicopter located the man either trapped or hiding in a bed of reeds and landed about 500 feet away from him, said Kovaletz. A flight officer approached the suspect and escorted him to the aircraft, which dropped him off in the shopping center’s parking lot near Dick’s Sporting goods. He was briefly examined, then taken via ambulance to a hospital for treatment of possible hypothermia.

The suspect was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a stolen vehicle and evading arrest. His identity was not immediately released.

No serious injuries were reported as a result of the incident.