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Community Corner

Azusa Chase Suspect Caught, Allegedly Used Counterfeit Bill

The chase nearly entered Glendora after the suspects took off from the Covina Walmart.

COVINA (CNS) - A woman parolee, who tried to use a counterfeit bill at a Walmart in Covina and led police on a chase that ended with a crash, was behind bars today on suspicion of forgery and burglary.

Chandra Michelle Olazaba, 23, of Azusa, who has a record for burglary, was denied bail because she is on parole, Covina police Lt. Dave Foster told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

Police were sent to the Walmart, 1275 N. Azusa Ave. in Covina, at 12:24 a.m. on a report that a woman tried to pass off counterfeit cash Nov. 29, Foster told the newspaper.

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Olazaba ran from the store, which is open 24 hours, and got into a white Lexus sedan, with a man inside, he said.

An officer spotted the car, and a chase ensued, with the Lexus leading police through surrounding cities and back into Covina, Foster said.

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The chase continued eastbound on Gladstone Street nearing Grand Avenue. Glendora Police were notified of the chase and officers were en route to the intersection in the event that the pursuit entered the city, according to scanner reports.

The chase turned south on Grand Avenue and never entered Glendora.

The officer crashed on Grand Avenue just south of San Bernardino Road about 12:40 a.m., a Covina police watch commander said at the time.

The police cruiser hit the center divider, a wall and a parked car, and the officer was taken to a hospital to be treated for a back injury, Foster said.

Olazaba was identified and later arrested at a parole office in El Monte, Foster said.

The same day, the man driving the Lexus allegedly rammed a police car and led police on a chase that ended near the San Bernardino (10) Freeway and Baldwin Avenue in El Monte where the Lexus had a flat tire, Foster told the Tribune.

Covina Police requested a Glendora officer to join them in the search for the suspect after he fled the vehicle. The man was reportedly never found.

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