SLAYING SUSPECT HELD AFTER CHASE; LAPD PURSUIT COVERS 100 MILES.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

An armed murder suspect was captured Wednesday after leading police on one of the longest LAPD pursuits ever - covering nearly three hours and more than 100 miles from South Central Los Angeles to Bakersfield.

No injuries were reported in the chase, which ended with the arrest of Jose Zepeda, 25, of Los Angeles on suspicion of murder, assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest, police said.

The lone driver brandished a semiautomatic weapon at officers and rammed a parked TV news van during the chase, which was broadcast live on television. Zepeda surrendered peacefully about 12:30 p.m. after his late-model Oldsmobile Cutlass belched steam or smoke and rolled to a stop on a deserted stretch of Highway 99, near a farm field south of Bakersfield.

The fleeing car came to a crawl after Special Weapons and Tactics officers shot out the two rear tires, Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Lt. Anthony Alba said.

``This was a textbook capture of a very, very dangerous suspect,'' Alba said.

Alba said the chase was among the longest ever in distance and duration. Past LAPD chases have gone from Los Angeles to as far as Pomona on the edge of Los Angeles County and Oceanside in San Diego County.

``Police pursuits don't last a terribly long time,'' Alba said. ``This one was unique, but fortunately it ended on a very desolate stretch of (Highway 99) that allowed officers to use whatever tactics necessary with little or no risk to the public.''

The chase began shortly after 9:48 a.m. when officers received radio calls of ``shots fired'' outside the Pinedas Bakery Market at 46th Street and Compton Avenue in South Central.

At the scene, officers found the body of store owner Norberto Pineda Roman, 28, who had been fatally shot, Alba said. Roman was pronounced dead on arrival at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center.

Alba said the slaying was the result of a domestic dispute. Zepeda believed the store owner was having an affair with Zepeda's wife, Alba said.

The pursuit began after Zepeda, driving by the scene, pointed a weapon out of his car at investigating officers, Alba said.

Zepeda led at least six police cars and an LAPD helicopter - along with television news helicopters - from the Harbor Freeway onto the northbound Golden State Freeway through Burbank, Sylmar and Santa Clarita into neighboring Kern County.

During the chase, Zepeda pointed his gun at officers and a helicopter, Alba said. The driver also was seen on television ramming a white van, belonging to a Bakersfield TV news station, which was parked on the side of the Golden State Freeway north of Santa Clarita.

During most of the chase, Zepeda maintained speeds of up to 65 mph as he weaved in and out of light holiday traffic until apparently encountering engine trouble near Fort Tejon. Plumes of white smoke or steam could be seen trailing from the back of his car.

During the last leg of the chase, Zepeda's car slowed to a crawl as officers drew their guns and leaned out of half-opened car doors.

The suspect's car finally gave out at about 12:30 p.m. As police officers barricaded themselves behind their cruisers, the driver finally stepped out of his vehicle, hands raised in the air.

Zepeda was arrested and taken to the Newton Division for booking, Alba said.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--2) The car used by a suspect in the slaying of a South Central bakery owner came to a halt with a broken windshield. The chase backed up traffic on Highway 99.

John Lazar/Special to the Daily News