Police: Chase with gang members ends in Watsonville after suspects threw guns on Highway 101, suspects identified
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) UPDATE MAY 16, 2022, at 10:21 a.m.-- Greenfield Police told KION the names of the gang members arrested on Saturday after a chase on Highway 101 that ended in Watsonville.
The driver of the SUV was 20-year-old Brian Mendez, who police said turned himself in Sunday.
The passengers were:
- Pedro Ramirez age 20
- Alexis Perez age 21
- Eduardo Lopez age 19
- Luis Sedano age 20
- And a juvenile age 16
Greenfield Police said that they are all known gang members on probation said police. Police said they are still looking for a suspect who fled from the vehicle but don't have a description of the person.
CHP Santa Cruz said that the mother of the juvenile arrested was charged with DUI, but no other crimes. She was a 53-year-old from Watsonville and police said she was arrested at 8:26 p.m. pm 430 Rogge Street but has since been released.
ORIGINAL STORY
Greenfield Police said a police chase with gang members began at 7 p.m. Saturday in Soledad and ended in Watsonville after multiple agencies became involved.
Greenfield Police Officers in Soledad tried to pull over a black SUV for committing a traffic violation, but the vehicle didn't pull over and a chase going north on Highway 101 began, said police. The car would top speeds of over 100 mph during the chase.
Passengers in the vehicle began throwing guns out of the window on Highway 101. By the end of the investigation, a 9mm Polymer P80 ghost gun, a Smith & Wesson M&P .40 Shield, a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm Shield and a Glock .40 handgun were taken as evidence, said police.
Salinas Police took over the investigation once the pursuit reached Salinas. CHP eventually sent out their helicopter to aid with the chase.
The chase ended near Watsonville High School when the car's occupants jumped out of the moving vehicle, and they all began running. The SUV stopped after hitting a fence, according to police.
Police began chasing the suspects, and four "known gang members from Watsonville" were arrested. All suspects had outstanding warrants and were taken to either Monterey County Jail or Juvenile Hall.
One of the juvenile suspect's mothers tried to help her son run away by driving to the scene drunk. She was taken into custody for a DUI, according to police.
