July 17, 2021 - On July 16, 2021, at approximately 0200 (2:00 A.M.) hours Merced County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Casas attempted to stop an individual on a motorcycle in the area of Badger Flat Road and Highway 152 in Los Banos for excessive speed.

The driver who was identified as 32-year-old Chad Alves failed to yield to the deputy and a short pursuit ensued. During the pursuit deputies noticed Alves throw a backpack onto the side of the road near the 23000 block of Henry Miller Road. Alves continued to flee from deputies until he dumped his bike in the 500 Block of Cabernet Street and fled on foot. Alves was located by Los Banos Police Officers hiding in a backyard where he was taken into custody.

Deputies went back to the 23000 block of Henry Miller Road where they located the backpack Alves threw on the side of the road. Inside the backpack deputies located a digital scale, a small amount of cash, and almost a pound of methamphetamine.

Alves was booked into the Los Banos City Jail for possession of methamphetamine for sale, transportation of methamphetamine, felony evading, and several outstanding warrants.

Source: Merced County Sheriff’s Office