Deputies On Patrol Become Drive-By Shooting Target

**BigBossMan** · 04-30-06, 01:58 AM

(CBS) ARTESIA, Calif. Two deputies escaped injury after three alleged gang members inside a passing car reportedly fired upon their patrol vehicle.

The deputies were patrolling the area of 167th Street and Clarkdale Avenue about 1:30 a.m. Saturday when they saw two muzzle flashes and heard the sounds of gunshots and believed they were fired at.

The deputies pursued a suspect vehicle and after a short three-minute chase which began on the Artesia (91) Freeway to the southbound San Gabriel (605) Freeway. The vehicle exited South Street and headed south of Studebaker Road, when it failed to negotiate a turn at Centralia Street in Lakewood.

Three suspects, all between ages 18 and 19, bailed from the vehicle but were captured. All were booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and evading police.

"It appears that the deputies interrupted a gang shooting and became the targets themselves," said Lt. Rick Nutt of the sheriff's Lakewood station.