Intoxicated Teen With Gun Leads Police on High-Speed Chase in Stolen Car, CHP Says

A 17-year-old Watsonville boy broke more than a half-dozen laws when led authorities on a high-speed chase through the city early Wednesday, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The teen, who was not identified because of his age, was arrested on suspicion of numerous felony charges, including possessing a stolen vehicle, felony evading, drug possession, DUI, and a number of weapons charges, according to the CHP.

He allegedly was driving a stolen car and refused to stop when Watsonville police officers tried to pull him over. About 1:10 a.m., police asked the California Highway Patrol to take over the pursuit.

Two CHP cruisers got involved in the chase. Speeds hit 70 mph as the teen raced through the city to try to elude officers, according to the CHP. He drove the wrong way down two different streets and, three times, intentionally aimed his vehicle at police cruisers. 

He went the wrong way on Main Street toward Highway 1 and drove onto the highway off ramp, but before he entered the highway from the wrong direction the teen slowed the vehicle and jumped out, the CHP said.

The vehicle crashed into a curb. The teen ran into a nearby housing complex, where officers found him hiding behind a fence. When he refused to show his hands, a CHP officer stunned him with a Taser, according to the Highway Patrol. 

When officers handcuffed the teen, they found a loaded handgun tucked into the waistband of his pants, the CHP reported.

The teen was booked in to Juvenile Hall.