Santa Ana resident kills a 12-year old girl in a high speed chase

Based on information provided by the Westminster Police Department

Westminster patrol officers attempted to stop a wanted suspect who was driving in the area of Sigler Park, just after 6 pm on Friday, April 3, 2014. The suspect was wanted for weapons violations and narcotics trafficking. When officers attempted to make contact in the area of Olive St. and Plaza St., the suspect intentionally crashed into a marked patrol vehicle and fled. Officers pursued the suspect vehicle.

Officers chased the suspect vehicle north on Olive St. through Westminster Blvd. The vehicle continued to Trask Ave. where the suspect attempted to make a left turn. As he did, he broadsided a minivan. The suspect lost control of his vehicle and collided with a fourth vehicle, which caused the suspect vehicle to overturn. When the vehicle came to rest, the suspect fled on foot from the scene.

The WPD Officer was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries and has since been released. There were no injuries to the driver of the fourth vehicle. The minivan was occupied by a mother, Helen Nguyen, and her two children. All three were transported to the hospital for their injuries.

Unfortunately, one of the children, Vivian Nguyen, a twelve year old girl, died from her injuries at the hospital.

Westminster patrol officers, detectives, a police K-9 from Cypress PD, and the Huntington Beach Police helicopter conducted a yard-to-yard search for the suspect. The search lasted for approximately two hours. Unfortunately, the suspect was not initially located.

At 11:55 p.m., a resident in the area Chestnut and Brooklawn St. called about an unknown male that was inside her home and had just fled out the back door. WPD Officers responded to the area and quickly set a perimeter. The Anaheim Police helicopter was in the area and assisted in the search. Within minutes, the helicopter team located the suspect hiding in a rear yard. WPD Officers located the suspect hiding in bushes in a backyard near the intersection of Brooklawn and Illinois St. and he was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect, Aleksandar Apostoloic, whose last known address was in Santa Ana, was taken to a nearby hosiptal for evaluation of injuries sustained in the collision. He will be booked at a later time on the listed charges.

“The suspect set a series of events in motion that ended tragically. At this point, this wanted/dangerous felon is the only suspect being sought and there is no further danger to the public. Our detectives and investigators from the CHP will present this case to Orange County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution,” said Sgt. Cameron Knauerhaze.