Carjacker crashes near tree lighting event in Beverly Hills, leaving four injured, police say

Four people, including a juvenile, were injured after a 22-year-old carjacking suspect crashed into pedestrians and a building during the Rodeo Nights, Holiday Lights celebrations in Beverly Hills on Thursday, November 14, 2024, officials confirmed to KTLA. (KTLA TV)

A man was arrested in Beverly Hills Thursday evening on suspicion of stealing a car and injuring four bystanders in a crash near a tree lighting event, authorities said.

The incident occurred shortly after 7 p.m. near Wilshire Boulevard and Camden Drive, a block from where hundreds of people had gathered to celebrate the city’s annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration, Beverly Hills police said.

“A black car came up very, very fast… screeching and then lost control, swerved and crashed into a group of people,” a witness told KTLA.

Officers arrested James Portul, 22, of Pennsylvania in the incident, which left two men, a woman and a boy injured, according to police. All four victims were taken to local hospitals; Police said their circumstances were unknown.

Police received a call about a carjacking in the 400 block of North Bedford Drive at 7:06 p.m. The victim said a man stole her black BMW X3 and then fled the area, police said.

Shortly thereafter, the department received a call about a collision involving a vehicle in the area. Officers believe the carjacking suspect lost control, crashed and fled the scene.

Officers assigned to the Christmas lights event helped locate and arrest the suspect in the 200 block of South Beverly Drive, according to police.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.