Local News in Brief : Huntington Beach : Man Who Drove Off Pier Linked to Previous Chase
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The Huntington Beach man who led police on a 2-hour chase, which ended when he drove a red Camaro off Huntington Beach Pier into the ocean, led police on a similar chase 2 months ago, authorities said Tuesday.
On Monday, California Highway Patrol officers arrested James Brian Hamilton, 23, on suspicion of reckless driving, evading arrest and driving without a license after he led authorities on a 150-mile chase, covering 10 freeways in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Huntington Beach Police Lt. Ed McErlain said Hamilton had been arrested Dec. 14, after leading police on an hourlong chase from Los Angeles County to Huntington Beach. That chase ended when Hamilton’s Dodge pickup crashed into two police cars at a roadblock on Main and Gothard streets, McErlain said.
Officials also learned Tuesday that the car Hamilton was driving Monday had been reported stolen. The license plate apparently fell off during the chase, and officials weren’t able to confirm that the car was stolen until divers obtained the vehicle identification number.
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