Car Thief Manhunt Shuts Down Sherman Oaks Neighborhood

SHERMAN OAKS, CA — A manhunt shook up a Sherman Oaks neighborhood Wednesday night when residents were kept from their homes for their own safety.

For several hours police searched in vain for a suspected truck thief, who ditched a stolen truck and headed off on foot into a neighborhood near Sepulveda and Burbank boulevard, said police Sgt. Ron Fisher. According to Fisher, officers were using a LoJack tracking system to track a newer model Dodge Ram pickup that had been stolen. At about 7:20 p.m., officers spotted the truck in a parking lot and tried to detain the driver, but he drove away and ditched the truck.

Officers set up a perimeter and used police dogs to search for the man. Eventually officers called off the search at about 11:30 p.m. Only then, were residents allowed to return home, said Fisher.

A description of the suspect was not released.

City News Service contributed to this report. Photo: Shutterstock