Los Angeles gang member charged for car chase, crash that left multiple injured

A documented Los Angeles gang member was charged on Monday for a burglary that turned into a high-speed chase and ended in a violent crash in Camarillo, officials said.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said that the incident happened on Jan. 24 when the man, 24-year-old Jalen Amir Yoakum of Lancaster, was first caught stealing merchandise from a Target store.

Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the reported theft in Camarillo, and found surveillance footage showing Yoakum allegedly concealing undisclosed merchandise before leaving without paying.

Security confronted Yoakum, but he fled the scene, according to officials.

When detectives later found Yoakum’s car nearby, he attempted to evade arrest by ramming into an undercover law enforcement vehicle and took off, leading deputies on a high-speed chase.

The pursuit only ended when Yoakum purportedly crashed into two vehicles on Santa Rosa Road.

The D.A.’s Office said the crash flipped one of the two cars, seriously injuring the driver and injuring three others in the car.

Yoakum still attempted to flee, this time on foot, but officials said he was soon taken into custody.

“Following his arrest, authorities recovered a loaded firearm with an extended magazine believed to have been discarded by Yoakum during the pursuit,” the D.A.’s office said in a press release. “He is prohibited from possessing firearms.” 

According to the press release, Yoakum also had outstanding warrants in Los Angeles County for robbery, gun possession and a probation violation.

He now faces six felony charges, including evading police and causing injury, reckless driving, multiple firearm offenses and two misdemeanor hit-and-run charges. He also faces one count of petty theft, according to officials.

“Additionally, special allegations and aggravating factors have been filed, including a strike prior and an allegation that the crime involved great violence,” said the D.A.’s Office.

Officials said Yoakum pleaded not guilty to all counts when he was arraigned on Jan. 30, and he is due in court again on Feb. 10.

He is currently being held at the Ventura County Jail on $2 million bail.