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A festive evening meant to celebrate the start of the holiday season in Beverly Hills turned into a scene of chaos and concern after a carjacking suspect plowed through a group of pedestrians near a holiday lighting event. Four individuals, including a child, were injured in the shocking incident.
The ordeal began around 7 p.m. on North Bedford Drive when a woman reported her BMW stolen during an apparent carjacking. The suspect, later identified as 22-year-old James Portul, fled the scene in the stolen vehicle. Shortly afterward, panic erupted near the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Camden Drive, where crowds had gathered for the annual Rodeo Drive holiday celebration.
Witnesses initially believed the crash was an accident, with many unaware of the unfolding drama. "We thought it was an accident," one witness recounted. "He jumped out and took off, and then some people took off after him."
The hit-and-run left two men, a woman, and a child injured and requiring hospitalization. The suspect abandoned the scene but was apprehended by police shortly afterward on South Beverly Drive. Portul now faces charges of carjacking and hit-and-run with injury.
Authorities have not released details about the conditions of the injured. The incident has left many in the community shaken, especially given its proximity to a beloved family-friendly event.
For a city known for its glitz and glamour, the evening served as a somber reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of vigilance, even in seemingly secure settings. The Beverly Hills Police Department continues to investigate the incident.
Source: Fox LA
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