Detectives likened suspects’ ability to evade police to movies and a ‘game of chess’

Police said Tuesday they had arrested a 28-year-old man wanted in connection with the death of a woman during the Christmas Occupation of South Los Angeles in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Dante Chapple Young was arrested last week and is awaiting extradition to Los Angeles.

The fatal incident occurred at around 9:00 pm on December 25 during a massive street takeover at the intersection of Florence Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard.

As the three cars were speeding and eating donuts, the driver of one of the cars, a black Chevy Camaro, lost control and crashed into a traffic control tow truck, eventually hitting the pavement. I collided with the crowd standing in the street.

The impact immobilized the Guajaca between the lamppost and the Camaro. She was taken to hospital, after which she died from her injuries.

The tow truck and Camero were eventually found, and authorities are looking for the two drivers who were doing donuts at the time.

Authorities believe six to seven more people may have been injured that night, but they have not come forward.

Los Angeles Police Department Detective Ryan Moreno said at a news conference Tuesday that authorities were able to identify and arrest Young primarily because of video evidence from members of the public, including those associated with “street racing culture.” and was part of the hint.

He said the investigation led detectives across Southern California to Arizona and eventually New Mexico, comparing Young’s ability to evade police to movies and “a game of chess.”

“In cases like this, there are no winners,” Moreno said. “After that incident, two families were torn apart.”

Guajaca’s family thanked the authorities for arresting Young and called on the outstanding suspect to appear.

Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Donald Graham said street racing is developing into a bigger problem and that “the law hasn’t evolved with it.”

The department, along with other city leaders, is discussing approaching the California legislature to better define the consequences of street racing and related crimes.

Graham said the ability to seize and eventually crush vehicles belonging to a series of street race offenders could have real financial implications for these crimes.

“Instead of simply trying to increase the penalties for bad decisions on young people in general, I think the idea of ​​taking away cars and depriving people of their ability to do harm is not going to affect them for the rest of the time. of their lives,” Graham said.