Police shoot car theft suspects after chase in Santa Ana

Two suspects riding in a car that had been reported stolen were seriously wounded Tuesday in an officer-involved shooting in Santa Ana.

The injured — a man struck in the upper torso and a woman with a cut underneath her chin — were hospitalized while officials investigate the case.

The incident began earlier in the day with the report of a robbery just across the border in Anaheim, according to Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

Officers were called to the Akua Motel on East Orangethorpe Avenue after one of the motel guests reported that a woman with a handgun had forced her to hand over her car keys, said Sgt. Bob Dunn of the Anaheim police.

The robbery victim, who was staying at the motel, was not injured, Dunn added.

About 11 a.m., Orange County sheriff’s deputies said they got “a hit� from the LoJack anti-theft device on the stolen car, alerting them to the location of the vehicle, Bertagna said.

Officers found the vehicle in the 2200 block of North Pacific Avenue, but the car sped off.

The pursuit continued for several blocks until the stolen car jumped a curb, crashed into a tree and slid into another car, Bertagna said.

Police said they had few details on the shooting, and that it remained unclear whether the suspects were shot inside the car or as they tried to flee.

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