A vehicle pursuit made its way through and ended in Newport Beach this week, police reported.
The Newport Beach Police Department’s dispatch center received information at 3:08 p.m. Wednesday that pursuit of a silver Mercedes started in Laguna Beach and was proceeding through Orange County, NBPD officials explained in a press release shared on Wednesday.
The suspect was identified as Richard Scott Bloustine, according to the NBPD alert. Bloustine was wanted for a felony no bail warrant for fraud and reported to be armed with a gun.
At 4:01 p.m., Newport police officers entered into the pursuit at the request of pursuing units as the suspect entered into the city, the NBPD message explains. As Bloustine continued to evade pursuing police cars, he was on the phone with NBPD dispatch.
He drove erratically along the 73 toll road, along Jamboree Drive, and roads surrounding John Wayne Airport and in the Newport Center area, before stopping in a parking lot at 1441 Avocado Drive. He stayed in his car for about 45 minutes before surrendering, according to reports.
“Although initially not compliant with officer’s orders to exit the vehicle, the suspect spoke with the Newport Beach Police Department Crisis Negotiation Team by phone. Through telephonic communication, the Crisis Negotiation Team was able to get the suspect to exit his vehicle and surrender to NBPD,” the message reads.
Laguna Beach Police Department took custody of Bloustine, 53, of Newport Beach.
Bloustine has a long criminal history, according to Orange County Superior Court records, including domestic abuse, aggravated white collar crimes over $100,000, property damage, fraud, and more.
