December 17, 2022 - On Thursday, December 15, 2022, the Skywatch Aircrew was on routine patrol in the Central district when they observed a ground unit initiate a traffic stop on Tyler Avenue west of Fresno Street. The Aircrew noticed the vehicle was slow to yield which caused the Aircrew to fly in the direction of the traffic stop.

The vehicle eventually came to a stop but when the patrol vehicle positioned itself behind the suspect vehicle, the vehicle fled west. The Aircrew immediately illuminated the suspect vehicle with the helicopter’s spotlight and began broadcasting the suspect vehicle’s direction of travel. The suspect circled the block, stopped, and ran from the vehicle.

The Aircrew kept the suspect illuminated while he ran southeast through yards with an officer in foot pursuit. The Aircrew directed responding units to Fresno Street and Tyler Avenue where they were able to cut off the suspect’s path and he was taken into custody. Officers at the suspect vehicle’s location discovered two privately manufactured firearms in the suspect’s vehicle. The driver was found to be an active gang member with several outstanding warrants. He was arrested and booked on several firearm related charges.

Source & photo: Fresno Police Department