NOTE: This story updated with new information at 11:50 am
Burbank Police Detectives were working on the surveillance of a couple of drug trafficking suspects in Sun Valley, Thursday afternoon, when the case turned into a high-speed pursuit. . The suspects got onto the Southbound I-5 Freeway and marked police units tried to stop the suspects’ car. The pursuit started after the female suspect, who was driving, refused to pull over.
Speeds on the freeway were hitting over 80 mile per hour when police supervisors ordered the pursuing units to ‘back off’, since they knew the occupants of the car and a helicopter was now overhead who could then trail the vehicle. and to protect the safety of innocent citizens.
Soon after the units turned it over to the helicopter, the suspects exited the freeway at Alameda and rear-ended a car at the bottom of the ramp. The driver of the care that was struck complained of neck pain and was checked out by Burbank Fire Department paramedics, but refused further treatment. the suspects kept on going, turning right onto Lake St. from Alameda Ave.
They then turned the car onto Cedar Ave, a dead-end street. Both suspects exited the car, with one suspect running toward Elmwood Ave.,where he threw a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun into the street. The helicopter notified ground units who quickly went to the scene and apprehended both suspects within minutes and recovered the gun which was still in the street.
Police were aided by their K-9 unit and the police helicopter. The male suspect was taken into custody on Elmwood, where he had thrown the loaded gun. The female suspect was taken into custody a short distance from the getaway car.
Their car was impounded as evidence. It had been reported stolen from Long Beach, with different license plates affixed to hide it from authorities.
Arrested by Burbank Police were Tiffany Knepper, 24, of Pacoima who was was booked for 2800.2-Felony evading, 10851 VC-Stolen Vehicle, and 245(A)(1)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon. She was also booked for possession of methamphetamine for sales. She is being held at LA County Women’s Jail on $75,000 Bail.
Also arrested was Gilbert Canales, 38, of Burbank. He was booked for 2800.2-Felony Evading and 10851 VC-Stolen Vehicle. He is currently on parole. A parole hold was placed on Canales and he is being held at the Burbank Police Jail without bail.
