Crime & Safety
Wanted Man High on Drugs Drives Teen on Motorcycle
Both ran from a California Highway Patrol officer in Watsonville but were later caught.
A Las Lomas man wanted for allegedly violating a restraining order was the subject of a police search Tuesday morning after reports he was riding a motorcycle with a 13-year-old boy on board, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The man, Daniel Gomez Rocha, 29, was stopped at the Chevron gas station on Main Street in Watsonville by a CHP motorcycle officer, but he and the teen ran from the officer, according to the CHP.
As the CHP officer was trying to arrest Rocha around 8:20 a.m., the teenage boy interfered, and both he and Rocha were able to run from the officer, according to the CHP.
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Cops rushed to the area and searched for the two. Rocha was apprehended on Harkins Slough Road; the teen was caught on Melwood Court, the CHP reported.
Rocha was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs, resisting arrest and child endangerment. He also was wanted for several misdemeanor warrants including spousal battery and violating a court order, the CHP reported. He was taken to County Jail and held without bail.
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The teen also was arrested. He was booked into Juvenile Hall on suspicion of resisting arrest and assault on a peace officer, according to the CHP. He also was from Las Lomas, but the CHP didn't disclose his relationship to Rocha.
No one was injured.
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