At 4:24 a.m., an OC Sheriff helicopter pilot notified officers that a vehicle that had recently fled from the CHP and Santa Ana PD during a lengthy pursuit was entering the city via Laguna Canyon, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department.
The pilot stated that the vehicle was blacked out.
The CHP and Santa Ana PD had previously canceled their pursuits due to traffic concerns. The decision to monitor the vehicle and not engage in a pursuit was made.
Sgt. Gensemer located the vehicle near Forest and Broadway.
The vehicle blacked out and began running stop signs until it drove out of view near Glenneyre and Laguna Avenue, in Laguna Beach. No pursuit was initiated at that time.
Police officers established a wide perimiter at main city exit points and based on ALPR data, the vehicle did not leave the city. Dayshift officers responded to assist.
A record check on the vehicle’s registered owner revealed he was a parolee with priors for child m*lestation and s*domy of a child under 14.
Detective Flagstad located the vehicle parked on Solona. A felony stop was initiated on the vehicle. During the stop, the driver, later identified as Christian Geleana, started the vehicle, drove off, and crashed at the bottom of Solona and Victoria.
The suspect exited and a foot pursuit was initiated.
Geleana jumped multiple fences and a containment was set up. With the help of an LBPD drone pilot, Geleana was located hiding in a front yard.
Geleana then attempted to flee a second time but he was taken into custody on Coast Highway by perimiter officers.
Geleana was arrested for felony evading, posession of nitrous oxide, and DUI.