Video Shows Burglar Fleeing El Monte Scene and Crashing Through Gate, Into Victim’s Van

Security footage released Sunday showed an alleged burglary suspect ramming a stolen vehicle through an El Monte homeowner’s front gate and crashing it into a van, injuring the victim.

An El Monte homeowner’s surveillance video captured a burglar fleeing the area on April 7, 2015.

Adan Vega, 19, was arrested after allegedly stealing electronics, $6,000 in cash and a van from a house in the 4000 block of Shirley Avenue (map) Tuesday around 11 a.m., according to a news release by the El Monte Police Department.

Vega was said to have ransacked the home, loading stolen items into the victim’s daughter’s van, then using keys found inside the house to steal the vehicle.

The victim came home during the robbery.

“Fearing for his own safety, the victim retreated down the driveway, toward the street where his own car was parked,” police stated.

The victim’s gray van was parked in front of the home, and he proceeded to close the front gate in an apparent attempt to trap the burglar, video from a security camera showed.

The robber then drove the daughter’s white van – with the trunk open – into the gate, forcing it to swing open, video showed.

The gate hit the victim, injuring him, police said.

As the burglar continued to attempt fleeing the scene, he rammed into the victim’s vehicle three times, police said.

At one point, video showed the white van apparently balancing on its two left wheels as it nearly drove over the corner of the victim’s van, causing it to move out of robber’s path.

The robber then drove through the narrow opening, hitting the victim’s van again and causing damage to its front end.

“Shortly after, officers located suspect Vega, who then attempted to elude them,” the news release stated. “Vega ultimately crashed the car he had stolen and then attempted to flee on foot.”

Vega was eventually arrested on suspicion of burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and auto theft.

All of the victim’s stolen property was recovered, police said.

“Luckily he walked away from the situation with minimal injuries and he was able to recover all of his personal property, so in retrospect I think it’s a win-win for our victim,” El Monte Police Department Corporal Adam Choe said.

It’s difficult to know what to do as a homeowner in that situation, Choe said.

Taking action if it can be accomplished safely can be OK, Choe said, but being a good witness is always helpful to police.

“If you plan on being a good witness, we ask you things like height, weight, age, clothing, maybe a significant identifier like a tattoo. All those things are going to help us down the line during the investigation,” Choe said.

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