A California man who led police on a deadly high-speed chase after reportedly stealing legos from a local grocery store is facing decades in prison, officials announced Monday.
The incident unfolded at a local Albertsons in Fullerton when a plainclothes officer spotted the suspect, 43-year-old Anthony Michael Hanzal, putting Lego boxes in his bag and leaving without paying. The officer exited the store and began to follow the suspect in his car and radioed for a uniformed patrol car to respond, according to a news release from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
“When the uniformed police officer tried to pull the suspected thief over, he made a quick right turn on Brookhurst [Road] and sped off,” the release noted.
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Another driver’s dash camera, as well as surveillance cameras in the area, captured the crash. (
Image:
Dean Choi)
Hanzal, who authorities say was under the influence of drugs, then rear-ended a vehicle that was sitting at a stoplight at the intersection of Brookhurst Road and Orangethorpe Avenue before turning and getting on the westbound 91 freeway.
Authorities said he eventually got off at the Knotts Berry Farm, hitting speeds of up to 90 mph as officers continued to follow him through the city of La Palma. At the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Moody Street police say Hanzal ran a red light and slammed into a blue BMW, instantly killing the driver, Marianne Casey.
Another driver’s dash camera, as well as surveillance cameras in the area, captured the crash.
“Enough is enough. Actions have consequences and I am mad as hell that an elderly woman is dead because a drug-addicted repeat thief decided to steal Legos from a grocery store and then lead multiple police agencies on a high-speed chase through Orange County in the middle of the day,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Marianne Casey’s family should be planning their holiday celebrations and instead they are planning a funeral.”
Hanzal is currently being held without bail and is facing up to 26 years in prison under California’s three strikes law, which increases sentences for those offenders convicted of three violent felonies. (
Image:
Dean Choi)
Hanzal has now been charged with felony gross vehicle manslaughter while intoxicated under the influence of drugs, a felony count of evading a peace officer causing death and a felony count of petty theft with two prior convictions. Hanzal is currently being held without bail and is facing up to 26 years in prison under California’s three strikes law, which increases sentences for those offenders convicted of three violent felonies.
