Work Detail Escapee Caught After Car Chase

VALENCIA —  A jail escapee allegedly stole a car from a dealership Thursday and led police on a brief chase that ended in a multi-car freeway crash.

Scott Wasco, 34, who was being held at the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center on grand theft and related charges, escaped from a work crew about 4:15 p.m., according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Bailey.

“He was on a fire suppression work crew on Bouquet Canyon Road,” Bailey said. “He was last seen being loaded into a truck with the crew, but when they arrived back at the facility, deputies realized he was gone.”

Although deputies don’t know when or where Wasco escaped, Bailey said they do know that he jumped out of the van and somehow made his way to Magic Ford on Creekside Drive in Valencia. There he stole a station wagon used by the dealership to shuttle customers to cars, Bailey said.

California Highway Patrol officers spotted the stolen car on the Golden State Freeway and followed it to the Foothill Freeway in Sylmar.

Wasco lost control of the car and became involved in a multi-car crash on the freeway near Roxford Street. He ran and was captured a short time later by sheriff’s deputies, aided by the California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles Police Department.

No serious injuries were reported in the crash.

Wasco, who was scheduled to be released from County Jail on May 28, now faces felony hit-and-run, car theft and escape charges, Bailey said.