A police chase ended in a violent crash in the heart of Long Beach early Monday morning, and an investigation into a second crash that may be connected is underway. 

Video taken by Sky5 shows the aftermath of one crash, which occurred near Pacific Avenue and Ocean Boulevard around 5 a.m. 

The pursuit is believed to have been prompted by a burglary at a marijuana dispensary, KTLA 5’s Rich Prickett said from Sky5. 

A mangled black sedan was seen sitting in the middle of the intersection as officers were investigating it. Two other damaged vehicles, including one that had rolled over onto its side, were seen not far away.

The area is set to remain closed as the probe into the pursuit and crash continues.

According to Rich, another crash involving a vehicle colliding with a fire hydrant was also reported at Pacific Coast Highway and Rose Avenue.

The site of the second crash is just under three miles away from the first one. 

Police were seen taking large bags into a vehicle at the scene as water spewed out from underneath the car that sheared the hydrant. 

“We’re seeing Long Beach police here with a bunch of bags that appear to be products from that dispensary,” Rich observed. “This is possibly one of two crashes that happened early [Monday morning] in the Long Beach area [that were connected to the pursuit].” 

As of publication, it is not known which crash occurred first.

No further details were immediately available. 

PASADENA, Calif. (KTLA) – As firefighters brace for yet another round of strong Santa Ana winds over the next several days, prompting high wind warnings, dozens of residents and businesses owners impacted by the Eaton Fire attended a community meeting in Pasadena.  

As of the latest update from fire officials, the more than 14,000-acre firestorm that swept through the San Gabriel Mountains, destroying much of Altadena, is 81% contained.  

Nearly 10,000 structures were destroyed and at least 17 people were killed, though that number is expected to rise.  

The National Weather Service has issued another Red Flag Warning from 10 a.m. Monday to 10 p.m. Tuesday for much of inland Southern California, including parts of Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. 

The warning comes because of projected high winds across the region combined with dry humidity — the same recipe that contributed to the rapid spread of the Palisades and Eaton fires. 

“This is basically one tick below the Jan. 7 event, and it just depends on where the low pressure and high-pressure systems that cause these kind of wind events line up as to the areas that are going to see the largest impact,” Dennis Burns, a fire behavior analyst, said at Sunday’s meeting.

According to the weather service, winds gusts between 50-70 miles per hour are forecast for the coasts and valleys, with gusts as high as 60-100 miles per hour in the mountains and foothills.

As residents and first responders prepare for this next Santa Ana event, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone shared some perspective on Eaton Fire at Sunday’s meeting.  

“As I talk to the commanders and firefighters that were in this area, this was the worst fire incident that they’ve ever experienced,” he said. “I’m grateful we didn’t lose more people, but 17 is too much.”  

Many of those in attendance, like San Gabriel Unified schoolteacher Karen Dekker, lost their homes to the Eaton Fire.  

“It’s hard,” Dekker told KTLA’s Carlos Saucedo. “It’s hard to lose your home, your place that is safe and grounding.”  

An Altadena resident for more than 30 years, her house on Homewood Drive was reduced to rubble. Like many others, though, she plans to rebuild.  

“I’m definitely rebuilding and everyone I talk to on my street and others I know who lost their homes, they’re all rebuilding,” Dekker said.  

To support her efforts, several of her colleagues at SGUSD have organized a GoFundMe to help Dekker and her family recover from the tragedy.  

In the meantime, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department has released repopulation and safety guidelines for those forced to evacuate as a result of the Eaton Fire. More information can be found by following this link.  

More information on how to prepare for wildfires can be found here. 

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A man and a woman from Oregon were arrested over the weekend for reportedly impersonating firefighters as they attempted to enter a Palisades Fire evacuation zone in what appeared to be a legitimate fire engine, officials announced Sunday.  

In a news release, officials with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department said the suspects, identified as 31-year-old Dustin Nehl and 44-year-old Jennifer Nehl, were spotted by LAPD patrol officers on Jan. 18.  

Not believing the fire truck was legitimate, police relayed the information to sheriff’s deputies, who caught up to the suspects.  

LASD said that when they contacted the man and woman, the pair were both dressed in “turnout gear,” which is the protective clothing worn by firefighters responding to a fire, had Cal Fire shirts underneath the gear and were also in possession of helmets and radios.  

“The occupants claimed to be from the ‘Roaring River Fire Department’ in Oregon,” the release stated. “Upon further investigation, the deputies learned that the department name was not a legitimate agency, and the truck was purchased at an auction.”  

Investigators, who arrested the Oregon residents and impounded the firetruck, said the pair reportedly admitted to being in the evacuation zone a day earlier. 

The relationship between the Nehls is unknown at this time, but authorities added that Dustin has a “criminal mischief” history in Oregon. Neither of the suspects, however, have criminal histories in California. 

Authorities did not provide a motive for why the man and woman were attempting to enter the evacuation zone allegedly posing as firefighters or if they were facing any charges in addition “impersonating firefighters.”

LASD officials said the case will be presented to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday for filing consideration.  

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact LASD’s Major Crime Bureau at 562-946-7893. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.