Foot pursuit across Highway 101 Monday evening; Monterey County Sheriff’s office
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The Monterey County Sheriff's office announced Tuesday that a foot across multiple lanes of Highway 101 lead deputies to the arrest of a subject who was in possession of two firearms and over five ounces of narcotics packaged for sale.
The chase took place on Monday around 6:30 p.m. after deputies say that they saw a vehicle entering northbound Highway 101 at John Street that almost caused a collision with other vehicles. According to the sheriff's office, the deputy performed a traffic stop on the vehicle at Highway 101 near Main Street.
Deputies say that the driver is identified as Jose Carlos Garcia, 32, of Salinas, and he admitted to deputies that he was in possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. During the search, deputies say that Garcia fled the scene on foot, ran across Highway 101 two times and then was ultimately caught and taken into custody south of Laurel Drive.
According to the sheriff's office, after deputies searched Garcia's vehicle, they located two loaded handguns, one of which was reported stolen. Garcia is a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, according to the Monterey County Sheriff's office.
“These firearms could have easily been used to harm an innocent person," said Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto. "I am grateful that our deputies were not hurt as they chased after this dangerous individual."
Deputies also located about 2 oz of suspected cocaine, about 3.4 oz of suspected methamphetamine and about 4 grams of suspected heroin, according to the sheriff's office.
The Monterey County Sheriff's office says that Garcia was transported to the Monterey County Jail and booked charged with felon in possession of a firearm; possession for sales of methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance with a loaded firearm; possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell; possession of stolen property; possession of paraphernalia; carrying a loaded firearm; resisting arrest; and unsafe lane change. Garcia's bail was set at $75,000, according to deputies.
