Photo: Ramiro Eliodoro Morfin
On February 15 a Kings County Deputy Sheriff saw a white Ford F-150 near Kent and 17th Avenues, operating with a mechanical violation.
The traffic stop started off well enough, but then the driver of the truck decided to take off and try his luck at evading.
The driver of course drove at high rates of speed, and also into oncoming traffic. The chase continued south on paved roads, dirt roads and along canal banks.
Spike strips were unsuccessfully deployed.
The chase continued into Corcoran. An AIR 40 (CHP helicopter) joined in the pursuit. Soon the driver, 31-year-old Ramiro Eliodoro Morfin, jumped out of his truck and ran through some residential backyards nearby.
Even though deputies spotted him, Morfin continued running, jumping fences. Once confronted and commanded to stay on the ground where he had fallen, the suspect still resisted and stood up.
Once the cuffs were finally on the suspect, deputies found a folding pocket knife in his waist band.
The Ford F-150 was stolen from Porterville.
With three previous warrants already on his head, Morfin was held and booked in Kings County with bail set at $220,000.
