Crime & Safety
Wanted Felon Caught After Vehicle and Foot Chase
The wanted felon was caught in the area of Corralitos Creek, after trying to flee on foot.
At approximately 8:07 a.m., a Watsonville Police Lieutenant spotted one of Santa Cruz County's most wanted subects, Jose Fernandez, 28, in the area of Freedom Boulevard and Crestview Drive, according to the Watsonville Police Department.
A vehicle pursuit ensued through the city streets at low to moderate rates of speed, and entered public roadways to enter the berry fields near East Lake Avenue and Wagner Streets. After meandering through the berry fields, the chase exited the fields on Atkinson Lane, and Fernandez drove to the dead end of Blanca Lane where he fled on food into the Corralitos Creek, according to the Watsonville Police Department.
Corporal Ed Delfin and officer Jarrod Pisturino chased Fernandez over fences and through the brush where they encountered him in the creek area. A taser was used to control Fernandez, who was non-compliant with the officers' orders, according to the Watsonville Police Department.
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Fernandez was taken into custody for outstanding felony warrants, felony evading a peace officer, resisting arrest and a false report to 9-1-1: The suspect used his cellular phone to call in a false shooting in the area of East Lake Avenue and Martinelli Street while he was being chased, according to the Watsonville Police Department.
Nobody was injured during the chase, and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department and numerous patrol deputies and detectives assisted with road closures and setting off perimeters.
