Car chase runs through Newport, Laguna, Irvine

An Irvine man who led police on a chase through three cities, including Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, was arrested on suspicion of evading an officer early Wednesday, Laguna Beach police said.

Joshua Caleb Bucklin, 28, was also charged with driving under the influence, police added.

Newport Beach police alerted Laguna about a vehicle speeding south on Coast Highway about 3:30 a.m., Laguna Capt. Jason Kravetz wrote in an email.

A Laguna officer heading south near Boat Canyon Drive saw a black Honda Ridgeline truck with Washington license plates pass at well over 100 mph, Kravetz said.

The officer followed the car, which went the wrong way on Ocean Avenue, through downtown Laguna and north along Laguna Canyon Road until reaching the 405 Freeway, police said.

The Honda traveled south on the freeway, exiting at Irvine Center Drive, and pulled into an underground parking garage at an apartment complex at 1000 Spectrum Drive, Kravetz said.

The officer detained the driver until help arrived. The pursuit lasted seven minutes and spanned 10 miles, Kravetz said.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce