405 Freeway California police chase suspect was wanted for decades-old rapes in Massachusetts

LOS ANGELES - A suspected serial rapist from Massachusetts is in custody – but not before leading a police chase across Los Angeles County that lasted more than an hour.

SkyFOX was over the scene as the suspect inside a Lincoln SUV, believed to be 71-year-old Stephen Paul Gale, led authorities on a chase Thursday afternoon. According to FOX News, Gale was wanted for four counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping and one count of armed robbery of two women at a convenience store in Massachusets in 1989.

Gale was publicly identified as the suspect in the 1989 rape cases in May 2024.

Over the course of the chase, the suspect drove through Los Angeles County's westside neighborhoods, including Westchester near LAX, Fox Hills and Inglewood.

Police released a 30-plus year old photo of the suspect, Stephen Gale, and an age-progressed version of what he could look like in 2024.

The suspect was eventually placed in custody a little after 5:15 p.m. near Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. When police got hold of Gale, he appeared to be in pain and was looked at by emergency crews.

Are you or someone you know a recent survivor of sexual assault? Help is available. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides a 24/7 national sexual assault hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.