BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) -- A robbery suspect was apprehended following a high-speed chase on Interstate 5, authorities said. The incident began on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at approximately 11:30 a.m., when Kern County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a robbery in progress at the Speedway convenience store on Frazier Mountain Park Road.

The suspect, armed with a rifle, fled the scene in a vehicle that was later identified and reported to Allied Agencies. Officers from the California Highway Patrol's Santa Clarita Office located the vehicle near McBean Parkway in Los Angeles County, leading to a pursuit.

The chase concluded with the California Highway Patrol's West Los Angeles Office taking the suspect into custody. The suspect was identified as 38-year-old Esteban Lara of Delano, California. Lara was booked into the Los Angeles Police Department Pacific Jail on felony charges of second-degree robbery, a weapon charge, and evading.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Kern County Sheriff's Office at (661) 861-3110 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (661) 322-4040.