Auto Thief Causes Traffic Mess 

March 22, 2026 – Fresno County Sheriff’s Office officials report that at around 10:00 a.m. on Friday deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on a stolen Ford pickup.  The suspect sped away at the intersection of First and Shaw Ave. in Fresno.  The suspect erratically weaved through traffic, reaching up to 75 mph.  Traffic eventually slowed for a red light at First and Bullard and that is where the suspect rammed into the back of a Subaru, which was stopped.  The 38-year-old suspect got out and ran across the street.  Deputies chased him on foot.  Our EAGLE One helicopter assisted, guiding deputies to an area where they eventually caught the suspect.

Traffic was tied up for more than two hours as Sheriff’s Office personnel and Fresno Police processed the scene and arranged for the disabled vehicles to be towed away.

The suspect, Nicholas Lefall, faces charges of auto theft, evading police and resisting arrest.  He is currently on probation as part of the state’s Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) program.  This marks his 39th arrest in Fresno County, dating back to 2011.

Although an arrest has been made, if you have additional information about this case, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org.  You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case #26-3167.

View video here.

Source: Fresno County Sheriff’s Office