Yesterday, at approximately 11:45 am, Brea Police Department officers were notified of a theft in progress at a Target store at 833 East Birch Street in Brea. Officers observed the suspect driving away from the store and attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver fled, leading officers on a pursuit through Fullerton and Anaheim, and eventually onto the 91 Freeway and Interstate 5. During the pursuit, the suspect collided with civilian cars and a Brea police car.
The driver abandoned the car in the City of Norwalk and fled on foot. With the assistance of ATF Orange County Violent Crime Task Force detectives and a helicopter crew from the Orange County Sheriff Department, Brea officers were able to locate and arrest the suspect without incident.
The driver was later identified as Albert Kiel, age 30, a resident of Norwalk.
Kiel was charged with a variety of offenses, including grand theft, felony evading, auto theft, and child endangerment. He has been booked at Orange County Jail.
The Brea Police Department wishes to extend gratitude to the allied police agencies who assisted with this pursuit and the subsequent investigation.
Case# 2307-1532
