Vehicle fire shuts down 710 freeway at Rosecrans in Paramount

PARAMOUNT, Calif. - The 710 freeway was shut down in both directions at Rosecrans Avenue in Paramount Thursday evening after a vehicle went up in flames and LA Sheriff's deputies in pursuit of a suspect.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office says deputies pulled spotted a driver traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Rosecrans, deputies made a U-turn to pull over the driver but the suspect continued to drive erratically.

The suspect rear-ended another vehicle on the bridge over the 710 freeway, which forced the suspect to stop, but took off running as he tossed a gun onto the freeway, the Sheriff's Office said. A foot pursuit began and soon after the suspect's car caught on fire for unknown reasons.

The 710 freeway was shut down in both directions while investigators recovered the weapon.

The suspect was later captured and detained. The Sheriff's Office says the suspect was driving a stolen vehicle and has an extensive criminal background.