Carjacking Vehicle Pursuit on Highway 101 / North Front Street, Soledad 

January 30, 2024 - Monterey County Sheriff's Office officials report that on January 28, 2024, at approximately 7:43 P.M. (1943 hours), a deputy spotted a vehicle that was driving erratic and unsafe on Highway 101. A records check revealed the vehicle was taken recently during a carjacking in the City of Gonzales. The deputy followed the vehicle broadcasting pertinent information until he had sufficient units on scene.

Once the vehicle reached the town of Chualar, the vehicle began to travel at a high rate of speed. At this point, a traffic stop was initiated, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. Once additional deputies joined the pursuit, a plan was made to set up spike strips. Soledad Police Department opted to assist with deploying spike strips, and a PIT maneuver was authorized. The vehicle continued towards the City of Soledad, where Soledad Police Officers successfully deployed spike strips. The vehicle then took the North Front Street exit off ramp and a successful PIT maneuver was conducted.

Once the vehicle came to a stop, deputies attempted to detain the driver at which point the driver began to accelerate, nearly striking one deputy. The vehicle ran into a patrol vehicle and came to a complete stop.  There were three males in the vehicle.

One of the suspects involved in the carjacking and other involved felonies who was seated in the rear right passenger seat fled from the vehicle. A sheriffs K9 team pursued the suspect, provided numerous announcements to stop, but the suspect did not comply. Sheriffs K9 was deployed and had a successful apprehension was conducted. The subject sustained minor injuries, was treated on scene as well as at a local hospital for follow-up and clearance, before being transported to Juvenile Hall.  The two remaining males in the car were arrested without incident.

All three males were juveniles, and they were charged with felony evading and carjacking (pending further follow-up by Gonzales PD). One of the juveniles was charged with assault with deadly weapon on a peace officer. They were all booked into Juvenile Hall.

Case # 24-00402

Source: Monterey County Sheriff's Office