A DUI suspect was tased by California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers during a brief foot pursuit between The Old Road and the southbound I-5 Freeway in Santa Clarita on Thursday.

Around 5:50 p.m. Thursday, CHP officers initiated a traffic stop on The Old Road just north of Sedona Way in Castaic, according to Officer Josh Greengard, spokesperson with the CHP Newhall Office. 

“A 40-year-old hispanic male driver and his 31-year-old and 20-year-old Hispanic female passengers were pulled over by a Newhall CHP unit for a traffic violation,” Greengard said. 

The driver appeared to be under the influence, Greengard said. 

A DUI investigation was conducted, and after being determined to be under the influence, the suspect allegedly fled on foot into the roadway of The Old Road while in the process of being arrested, according to Greengard. 

In the middle of oncoming traffic, the investigating officer attempted to take the suspect into custody for the second time when the suspect attempted to jump over a chain link fence, separating The Old Road from the southbound I-5 Freeway.

The officer then deployed the Electronic Control Device (ECD) taser before finally taking the suspect into custody, according to Greengard. 

Upon a search of the vehicle, CHP officers uncovered an unregistered, unserialized, loaded “glock-type” handgun in the trunk, according to Greengard. 

Edward Garcia, 40, of Hanford, California, a previously convicted felon, was booked at the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station for possession of a stolen firearm with $35,000 bail, according to Santa Clarita arrest logs.

The extent of any injuries sustained remain unknown as of Friday afternoon.

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