January 30, 2022 - MERCED - The Merced Police Department reports officers arrested two 17-year-olds for residential burglary of an occupied residence and felony vehicle pursuit.

On Saturday at 8:42 PM, officers responded to the 2900 block of Parkwood Court after the house sitter heard someone break in while she was inside. The victim exited the house and called police. The suspects stole the victim’s purse and left in her vehicle while she waited for police to arrive.

Officer Myles Richter was responding to the call when his vehicle was nearly sideswiped by the suspect driving the stolen motor vehicle. Officers initiated an enforcement stop that resulted in a high speed pursuit. Officers terminated the pursuit for public safety concerns.

The suspect continued to drive dangerously on W. 16th Street and tried to navigate a left turn onto Canal Street at an unsafe speed. The vehicle collided with a curb that caused it to roll over onto its side and into a business building at the 1500 block of Canal Street.

Two juveniles were taken into custody and arrested. They were transported to the emergency room as a precaution and booked into custody at the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex.

The victim’s vehicle sustained extensive damage and the building had minor damage to the exterior wall.

If you have any information on this incident please contact the Merced Police Department.

Case Number: 22-5967

Merced Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Officer Myles Richter at (209) 385-6905 or by email at richterm@cityofmerced.org.

Other ways to contact us or report a crime include:

For any emergency call or text 911.

For non-emergency call 209-385-6912.

Anonymous Tip Line (Non-Emergency) call 209-385-4725.

Anonymous Tips online at http://www.merced areacrimestoppers.org/index.html

Some crimes can be reported online through the Merced PD website https//www.cityofmerced.org/departments/police