LOS ANGELES — A South Gate man has been charged in four separate felony cases with stealing cars and hit-and-run resulting in injury over a two-month span after getting re-arrested and released.
Ismael Lopez, 23, was charged with seven felony counts: two counts each of fleeing a pursing peace officer’s vehicle, driving or taking a vehicle without consent and receiving a stolen vehicle, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in injury.
On June 29, Lopez was arrested by South Gate police for allegedly being in the driver’s seat of a stolen van. He was released per the COVID-19 emergency bail schedule, aimed at reducing the jail population during the pandemic.
On July 1, the defendant allegedly took a person’s car without their consent and fled a pursing police officer.
After being released, Lopez is accused of receiving a stolen vehicle on July 10, then another time on July 20 for the same alleged offense. In the latter case, Lopez allegedly stole a vehicle, led police on a pursuit and broadsided another vehicle, injuring the driver. He eventually lost control of the vehicle, fled on foot and was arrested.
All of the incidents occurred in South Gate. If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a possible maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison.
