Convicted Felons Arrested after Police Chase in Stockton
STOCKTON — On January 25th at around 1:30 PM, a CHP officer approached a man whose car was illegally parked in a handicapped spot in the parking lot on 10th & D.
The individual, later identified as 20-year-old Fragoso Mendoza Jr., was sitting in the vehicle when he saw the officer approaching. Mendoza backed out of the spot and struck another vehicle before fleeing the lot, at which point a pursuit began.
The vehicle then collided with a fence along Scotts Avenue and the passenger, later identified as 24-year-old Jorge Villanueva, took the opportunity to throw a loaded Smith & Wession .40 caliber handgun from the window.
Mendoza drove on, but popped a tire at Flora Street and was unable to continue. He and Villanueva, both convicted felons, were then arrested without incident.
The handgun, later discovered to have been reported stolen out of Sacramento area, was recovered by CHP.
For his role in the incident, Mendoza is charged with felony evasion, felon in possession of a loaded handgun, and hit-and-run. Villanueva is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both may also face additional charges pending the outcome of the investigation.
