Two men are in custody after an early morning chase through a quiet Canyon Country neighborhood.
Lt. Mark Hershey of the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff’s station said that the pair, who were driving a 2007 Nissan Sentra, were pulled over at 3:48 a.m. by two deputies patrolling on Soledad Canyon Road for a traffic offense.
As the deputies approached the driver and passenger, one of the deputies saw the passenger remove a gun from his waistband and try to conceal it. The deputy alerted his partner and the driver sped away.
A pursuit ensued up Whites Canyon Road, where deputies believe the suspects got lost near Nadal Street, ending up on Foxlane Road near Basel. The suspects pulled over and jumped out of the vehicle.
The driver tripped and fell near the car and deputies were able to take him into custody without further incident.
The passenger ran, causing deputies to set up a containment of the area and call in help from aero and K-9 units. Aero deputies used an infrared detection system to find the suspect, who was laying on a rooftop.
He started to run again, causing the K-9 deputies to use a “light-sound diversionary device” or “flashbang,” to startle the suspect, who ran toward deputies that were able to arrest him.
The driver of the car was identified as 27-year-old Georgio Placeres; his passenger was Judd Vear, 22. Both men are from North Hollywood. The car was stolen from the San Fernando Valley and burglary tools were found in the car.
Placeres is being held on a no-bail parole violation for a previous grand theft auto offense and faces stolen vehicle charges. Vear faces charges of brandishing and possessing a gun.
Hershey said the gun was discarded along the way by Vear and has not been found. Deputies are currently searching the area for the missing firearm.