Outrunning the police may require a full tank.
A man wanted for a probation violation reportedly led police on a high-speed chase last week that ended when he ran out of gas.
Police said Los Banos Police Sgt. Ivan Mendez and officer Paul Llanez were on patrol at 1:11 a.m. on Nov. 21 when they observed a 1998 Jaguar being driven by Severiano Barreto, 32, of Los Banos, in the area of Hastings and Stanislaus Drive. The officers recognized Barreto as being wanted on a Merced County probation violation and drug possession warrant.
As they attempted to stop Barreto, he allegedly led police on a high-speed pursuit, police said. The chase ended near Interstate 5 and Ortigalita Creek when Barreto's car ran out of gas 12 miles from where the pursuit began. Police said Barreto surrendered to authorities. Methamphetamine was subsequently found in his possession. The car was stolen from an elderly couple who had not yet reported the theft to law enforcement, police said.
Barreto was arrested on suspicion of failure to yield to an emergency vehicle with disregard for public safety, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales. Barreto is in custody at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility pending $110,000 bond.
Copyright 2012 - Los Banos Enterprise (Los Banos, Calif.)
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
