A documented Los Angeles gang member, identified as Jalen Amir Yoakum, 24, of Lancaster, was charged with multiple offenses on Monday following a burglary that escalated into a high-speed chase ending with a violent crash in Camarillo. This information came from the Ventura County District Attorneys Office. The series of events were said to have transpired on January 24.
The incident reportedly began when Yoakum was caught stealing merchandise from a Target store in Camarillo. Ventura County Sheriffs deputies were alerted to the theft, and upon review of the surveillance footage, Yoakum was seen allegedly concealing unidentified merchandise and leaving the store without payment. Security personnel attempted to confront Yoakum, however, he fled the scene.
When Yoakum was located in a nearby area by detectives, he allegedly tried to escape by ramming his vehicle into an undercover law enforcement vehicle, resulting in a chase. This high-speed pursuit ended when he reportedly crashed into two vehicles on Santa Rosa Road. The impact of the crash resulted in one of the vehicles flipping over, causing serious injury to its driver, and injuring three other passengers. Yoakum still sought to evade arrest and fled on foot but was later apprehended.
Following his apprehension, a loaded firearm with an extended magazine was recovered, which authorities believe Yoakum discarded during the chase. The press release also revealed that Yoakum had outstanding warrants in Los Angeles County for various crimes including robbery, illegal possession of a weapon, and a probation violation. Currently, he is facing six felony charges including evading police, causing injury, reckless driving, multiple firearm offenses and two misdemeanor hit-and-run charges. Yoakum, who pleaded not guilty to the charges on January 30, is due to appear in court again on February 10. As of now, he is being held at the Ventura County Jail on $2 million bail.
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