Police Pursuit Ends in Rough Arrest

Pico Rivera (myFOXla.com) - A driver who fled from an attempted traffic stop in El Monte led police on a high-speed pursuit on freeways and surface streets that ended with a collision in Pico Rivera, followed by a foot pursuit that prompted questions about whether officers used excessive force while arresting the man.

>> You can watch FOX 11 News coverage of the police pursuit in the video player.
>> You can watch Ed Laskos' video report on the incident here .
>> You can watch Bob Decastro's followup video report on the investigation here .

The pursuit began about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday when El Monte police tried to stop a man for a traffic violation, said California Highway Patrol Officer Jose Nunez.

The driver kept going, heading onto the eastbound San Bernardino (10) Freeway, then exited in Baldwin Park, Nunez said.

The driver had two passengers in the car, but when the vehicle came to a stop in traffic, one of them jumped out and surrendered to police. The driver, however, sped off again, and unidentified objects were thrown out of the car.

The driver used a sidewalk to avoid traffic before getting back onto the eastbound San Bernardino (10) Freeway, where he was met by two patrol units.

Going about 85 mph, the motorist took the 10 to the southbound San Gabriel River (605) Freeway and exited on Whittier Boulevard, where the car slammed into a sport utility vehicle.

One of the occupants was taken into custody almost immediately and the driver -- 23-year-old Richard Rodriguez of El Monte -- ran to the back of a nearby apartment complex and was arrested there.

Video of the arrest from a hovering media helicopter showed Rodriguez dropping to the ground with his arms and legs spread before officers reached him. The first officer to reach him approached the prone suspect with his gun drawn, then kicked him in the head. He and another officer jumped on top of the suspect, and one officer struck the man several times while trying to handcuff him.

Lt. Chuck Carlson of the El Monte Police Department said the department's Internal Affairs Unit will investigate to see if excessive force was used.

"There were some phone calls from some citizens. One of the news copters had video they thought showed excessive force," Carlson said.

Rodriguez was booked on suspicion of felony evading. He also was held for possible parole violation, meaning he is not eligible for bail.

Carlson said Rodriguez is a known gang member. He was making hand signs during the pursuit forming an F, "as in the El Monte Flores gang sign."