Teen With Gun, Stolen Car Flees Police

A 17-year-old Watsonville boy driving a stolen car tried to escape the California Highway Patrol on Tuesday, leading an officer on a car chase then ditching the vehicle and running, authorities reported.

The teenager was caught just before noon in the Clares Street neighborhood of Capitola with a stolen handgun, according to the CHP.

His name was not released because of his age but the CHP reported he's a gang member already on "high-risk probation."

The chase started just after 11:30 a.m. when a CHP officer recognized a green 2001 Honda Civic that had been reported stolen on Oct. 5. When the officer tried to pull over the car, the driver sped up, according to the CHP.

Eventually that led to the foot chase. To stop the teen, the CHP officer used a "control hold." He suffered minor injuries during the arrest and was taken to Dominican Hospital by the CHP. After he was treated, the was booked into the Santa Cruz County Juvenile Detention Center on suspicion of vehicle theft, possessing a stolen gun, a concealed gun and a stolen car, and reckless evading of a peace officer—all felonies—as well as gang participation and resisting arrest.

A man speeding and driving erractically in a sedan sped away from a CHP officer on southbound Highway 1, near Salinas Road in north Monterey County. A 39-year-old Middleton woman riding a motorcyle—the second vehicle the fleeing car struck—and the driver who was trying to evade police, both died.

The Clares Street location where Tuesday's event ended is a haven of storefronts. Were any of you there when it occurred? What were your thoughts on the incident? Tell us in the comments!