Crash Into Utility Pole Ends Stolen Van Chase

Sheriff’s deputies chased two teen-age boys, driving a stolen van, at speeds up to 85 m.p.h. in Palmdale on Sunday morning until the van crashed into a utility pole, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported.

The boys were unhurt because they were wearing seat belts, authorities said.

The 14- and 16-year-old boys tried to flee on foot after the 3:15 a.m. accident, but they were arrested by deputies and taken to Sylmar Juvenile Hall, Sheriff’s Deputy Barbara Critchlow said.

Two deputies tried to stop the silver van near Avenue R and 35th Street East and gave chase when the vehicle failed to stop, Critchlow said. The van had been reported as stolen a short while before, she said.

The chase lasted several minutes and ended when the van broadsided a power pole at Avenue N and 40th Street East, destroying the van and badly damaging the pole, Critchlow said.