Gang member, mother arrested after pursuit ends in crash (Orange County Register)

Gang member, mother arrested after pursuit ends in crash
BY ANNIE BURRIS
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Published: Feb. 4, 2010
Updated: 12:12 p.m.

HUNTINGTON BEACH – Police arrested a suspected gang member found with narcotics, a loaded gun and a bulletproof vest along with a mother accused of child endangerment and immigration violations after a short pursuit that ended in a crash, police said today.
Angel Villegas, who authorities say is a member of the gang "dark side assassins" also known as "dark side locos," was driving in Huntington Beach with passenger Lorena Mercado about 1:30 a.m. Jan. 19 when officers attempted to stop them for a traffic violation at Beach Boulevard and Edinger Avenue, according to Huntington Beach police spokesman Lt. Russell Reinhart.
Villegas, 21, of Riverside, sped off, leading police on a short pursuit into Fountain Valley, where he lost control of the Chevrolet Tahoe and crashed into a cinder block wall at Edinger and Bushard Street, Reinhart said. Villegas attempted to drive away from the crash but was unsuccessful due to the damage to the car, Reinhart said.
Mercado was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment for leaving her 10- and 3-year-old children at home alone while she was riding in Villegas' Tahoe, Reinhart said. The 28-year-old Tustin resident was placed on an immigration hold.