Jose Garcia booking photo
On November 18th, Merced Police received a report of a possible armed suspect.
At approximately 3:39 PM, an officer noticed a white Acura driving westbound on Childs Avenue near the Highway 99 overpass. The driver matched the description of the suspect and a stop was attempted. The vehicle failed to yield and entered southbound Highway 99, accelerating to over 90 miles per hour and weaving in and out of slower traffic.
He then exited the freeway at the Mission off-ramp and continued westbound on Mission, crossing South Highway 59. The vehicle eventually lost control driving westbound on Dickenson Ferry Road and spun out on the north side, at which point the driver — identified thus far as a Hispanic male — fled on foot into an almond orchard.
A foot chase ensued and continued for about 1/4 of a mile before the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Jose Garcia of Planada, was arrested and taken to Merced County Jail.
