A security guard fired shots trying to stop the pursued burglars. After winding through several Los Angeles freeways, the pursuit ended in Chinatown. Hetty Chang reports from Long Beach for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on March 28, 2013.
A pursuit that began early Thursday in Long Beach after a burglary report came to an end near downtown Los Angeles after about 45 minutes on surface streets and freeways.
Video: Southern California Pursuits
Two men, a 49-year-old Burbank resident and a 54-year-old Temple City man, were taken into custody near Bernard Street and Broadway (map) in Chinatown.
Police encountered the subjects at about 5:05 a.m. in Long Beach after a burglary report at the exclusive golf community Virginia Country Club, near Long Beach Boulevard and San Antonio Drive. The driver of the pursuit vehicle attempted to drive over a security guard who responded to the burglary alarm, Long Beach police spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said.
The security guard fired shots at the subjects as they left the area in a silver BMW sport utility vehicle, according to Pratt.
Police were still investigating how many rounds were fired at the suspects.
The men broke into the golf pro shop by breaking a glass door, according to police, but it is unclear how they gained access to the country club grounds. The community is gated and very exclusive to its members, according to nearby residents.
"I don't think there's any indication that leads us to believe that they were there golfing. We think they were there up to no good," Pratt said.
The 45-minute pursuit continued on the 5 Freeway before the driver exited onto surface streets east of downtown Los Angeles.
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The SUV driver stopped behind a motel in the Chinatown area. Two individuals exited the SUV with their hands raised before officers took them into custody.
Video showed officers removing golf clubs and other golf equipment from the SUV.
They were arrested on suspicion of evading police, commercial burglary and possession of a controlled substance.
