Southbound 405 Freeway in North Hills remains backed up by police search
All but two lanes of the southbound 405 Freeway are closed this morning in North Hills, backing up traffic for miles, as police officers wait for a burglary suspect hiding inside a storm drain to surrender, authorities said.
The southbound freeway was shut down completely at about 3 a.m. after LAPD officers received a call of a burglary in progress at an auto parts warehouse. When officers arrived, they saw two suspects. One was taken into custody, but the second fled on foot and was believed to be hiding along the 405, said Los Angeles Police Department Officer Bruce Borihanh.
The California Highway Patrol immediately closed all southbound lanes between Roscoe Boulevard and Sherman Way as officers searched the area.
“He’s there, they see him, but he’s just not coming out,” Borihanh said.
The carpool lane and the lane next to it were reopened at 6 a.m., said CHP Officer Alexi Villalobos.
-- Ruben Vives
Read more about the freeway traffic jam at KTLA News.
Photos: (Top) Los Angeles Fire urban search and rescue members take air samples at a storm drain where a burglary suspect is believed to be hiding. (Middle and bottom) Police and firefighter search and rescue teams work to remove the man. Credit: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times
When Chief Parker, Davis or Gates was around, they'd only need a Sergeant and a couple of patrol units to have the suspect surrender within fifteen minutes.
Why? The Sergeant carried the gas cannisters and gun to fire the gas in the tube to get the suspect to surrender.
Today's LAPD? Let's call out half a division, wait for the news crew, a couple of deputy chiefs for a photo-op, shut the freeway off and keep people who obey the law, from getting to work.
Glad I moved AWAY!!!
Posted by: Steve M. | June 16, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Are you kidding me? The LAPD need to start pumping water into the drain until the suspect can't take it anymore. This is silly. Tens of thousands of people need to be held up because of one skell give me a break.
Posted by: Jack Steel | June 16, 2009 at 01:46 PM
Flush him out!
Posted by: Carri | June 16, 2009 at 02:02 PM
drop some flashbangs down the hole. That'll get him out, lol. Or fire ants.
Posted by: dave | June 16, 2009 at 03:31 PM
how much is this mexican illegal immigrant, or offspring of an illegal immigrant, costing us?
Posted by: scott | June 16, 2009 at 05:10 PM