Photo: first stop, Kerner Boulevard and Marian Court
SAN RAFAEL — His fourth time was a charm. The driver of a stolen car who evaded officers three times was finally arrested with help from a witness. This motorist reported seeing a parked car that he witnessed police pursuing earlier.
Officers never had trouble locating the suspect, but they had to terminate three pursuits in the interest of public safety. The suspect drove at speeds up to 100 mph and made dangerous maneuvers in heavy traffic.
First, the suspect was observed fleeing from an auto repair shop on Andersen Drive, where an employee’s wallet was stolen. An officer spotted him speeding away in a black Audi, reported stolen in Oregon.
This officer stopped him near the intersection of Kerner Boulevard and Marian Court. However, he sped away as the officer stepped out of the patrol car. The officer pursued him but terminated the chase near the intersection of Fairfax and Canal streets.
A second officer observed the suspect entering an on-ramp to Highway 101. This officer was outmaneuvered in heavy traffic heading northbound, and again the suspect got away.
A third officer positioned at the next northbound on-ramp spotted the suspect. Due to high speeds and erratic driving of the suspect, this officer ultimately terminated the third chase.
A few minutes later, a motorist called 911 and reported seeing the same car parked near Civic Drive. As officers arrived, the suspect was observed walking back to the car.
The suspect identified as Gonazalo Luna-Hernandez, 43 of Salem, Oregon, was finally placed under arrest and booked into Marin County Jail on November 6th.
He faces charges of burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property and driving without a license. He also faces charges for evading police with disregard for public safety and disobeying an officer.
