Officers arrested one of three suspects following a car chase that injured innocent bystanders in Ventura County, police confirmed on Sunday.
The Port Hueneme Police Department said an officer attempted to stop a black Cadillac Escalade for a traffic violation around 10:26 a.m. on Saturday.
According to the department, the Escalade did not stop and instead fled the streets of Port Hueneme, thus initiating a police pursuit.
During the chase, which lasted a total of about four minutes, the Escalade crashed into an uninvolved car at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Ventura Road.
Police said the bystanders suffered minor injuries but did not immediately provide any further details on how many were injured.
The Escalade eventually came to a stop in the 3400 block of Kern Street.
The driver attempted to flee and resist police, but officers used a taser and successfully detained and arrested him.
However, police said two other passengers of the car fled but were not found. Police did not initially provide descriptions of the two that fled other than one was male and the other female.
In addition to the arrest, officers found a stolen fire hydrant inside the Escalade but did not say whether the driver stole it. “The investigation into the possession of the stolen fire hydrant is ongoing,” the department said.
Police identified the driver as 33-year-old Juan Contreras of Oxnard, and learned that he had an outstanding no bail felony warrant for violation of probation for auto theft.
Officers booked Contreras for felony vehicle evading, felony hit and run, possession of stolen property and his warrant, and he was later transported to the Ventura County Main Jail.
If you have any information regarding this case, the department asked that you contact Detective Sergeant Jesus Chavez at [email protected] or 805-986-6615.
Officials said community members can also make anonymous reports by calling Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477, or by visiting their website at www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.
