San Joaquin Co.: Two Men Arrested On Suspicion Of Carjacking, Led Deputies On Chase

Bay City News

Two 18-year-old men were arrested on suspicion of a carjacking and leading deputies on a chase near Stockton, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said this week.

James Cortez and Valentino Negrete were two of several suspects who fled from deputies last Sunday during a chase.

The Sheriff's Office said their patrol deputies were in the area of Harding and Wilson ways in Stockton last Sunday after 10 p.m. when they encountered a vehicle that was allegedly associated with a carjacking that occurred the same day.

Deputies said they attempted a traffic stop on the car, but the driver allegedly failed to stop and led them on a pursuit.

According to deputies, the vehicle was traveling at high speeds and the driver turned off the car's lights and ran multiple stop signs, putting the community at risk.

Ultimately, the chase ended when the suspect vehicle crashed with another vehicle at the intersection of School Avenue and Harding Way.

Deputies said five people fled the car on foot, leading to another chase.

The occupants of the other car in the collision were taken to a hospital and did not suffer major injuries.

Additional deputies arrived at the scene for a search of the suspects and were only able to detain Cortez and Negrete.

Inside the suspect vehicle, deputies allegedly located an AR-style rifle and a handgun and another was found just outside the car.

Both the suspects were taken into custody and booked into San Joaquin County Jail.

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