Robbery suspect killed after police pursuit

The 50-minute chase ended when the Blazer's left rear tire blew out and caught fire.

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A police chase Tuesday night through metropolitan Los Angeles left an armed robbery suspect dead and three others in custody, a California Highway Patrol spokeswoman said.

The pursuit began on Interstate 5 shortly before 6 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT) when Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies attempted to pull over a white Chevrolet Blazer being driven by suspects wanted for armed robbery and assault, according to Officer Wendy Moore.

The 50-minute chase ended in Pacoima, about 20 miles northwest of Los Angeles, when the Blazer's left rear tire blew out and caught fire, quickly engulfing the whole vehicle in flames.

Four men in their 20s quickly exited the smoking SUV. Three surrendered peacefully to the California Highway Patrol, Moore said, but one was fatally shot by troopers after pointing a weapon at them.

Money was seen flying from the vehicle throughout the pursuit. The fleeing Blazer frequently went onto the highway shoulder as the driver passed rush hour traffic.

At one point the suspects exited the freeway in downtown Los Angeles, grazed a car stopped at the bottom of the exit ramp and nearly hit a pedestrian.

The fire was extinguished and Interstate 5 was closed in both directions until the wreckage was cleaned up and removed.