Aug. 28--CERES -- Three police cars were rammed and an officer suffered minor injuries during a pursuit of a stolen vehicle Sunday night.
A police officer spotted the stolen Honda Accord at Hatch and Herndon roads at 11:23 p.m., according to Sgt. Jose Berber.
The driver failed to yield to the officer's lights and sirens, and the pursuit headed east on Hatch, then north on Mitchell Road, where it reached speeds of 90 mph, Berber said.
The chase continued into the airport neighborhood in south Modesto, where the Honda spun out of control at Tenaya Drive and Santa Cruz Avenue. The vehicle stopped momentarily and officers tried to block it, but the driver sped toward the patrol cars, ramming three of them, Berber said.
Two of the patrol cars were disabled, but the driver of the third, along with several other officers, followed the suspect. The chase continued about a half-mile to Empire Avenue and Tioga Drive, where the Honda struck a chain-link fence.
The suspect again rammed the patrol car, and then drove about a block before patrol cars surrounded his car, Berber said.
A passenger ran from the car as the driver fought with officers who were trying to subdue him. He eventually was detained, but a search of the area for the passenger came up empty.
Two patrol cars were taken to the tow yard, Berber said, and the third sustained minor damage. One officer complained of pain, but was not treated for his injuries.
The driver, Danny Jesse Leon, 33, of Ceres, also known as "Butterball," was booked on suspicion of numerous felony charges. He faces seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon on police officers, resisting arrest, auto theft, possession of stolen property and felony evading.
Bee staff writer Erin Tracy can be reached at [email protected] or (209) 578-2366.
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