Friday, Dec. 16, 2011

High-speed chase through Los Banos ends in two arrests

Police said a high-speed chase Friday that began in Los Banos ended in Dos Palos with two in custody.

According to police, detectives patrolling the intersection of Ward Road and Pacheco Boulevard identified a car reported as stolen from Hollister. The car was carrying a driver and three passengers.

The driver did not pull over when signaled by the detectives and fled east on Pacheco Boulevard at a high rate of speed, police said.

When the driver reached the 8000 block of Blossom Road in Dos Palos, police said, he stopped the vehicle and the four men fled on foot. Officers caught two of the four suspects.

Francisco Almarez, 20, and Jason Martinez, 19, both of Dos Palos, were booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle with disregard for public safety, resisting arrest and participation in a criminal street gang. Both men are in custody at the Los Banos Police Department.

Cmdr. Ray Reyna said the incident ended well, with no injuries, because of the work of Detectives Jake Bento and Eduardo Solis, with the assistance of the Dos Palos Police Department.

Enterprise reporter Thaddeus Miller can be reached at (209) 388-6562 or by email at tmiller@losbanos

enterprise.com.