Seventeen-Year-Old Taken Into Custody Following Traffic Stop and Foot Pursuit
WATSONVILLE, CA — Officers from Watsonville Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a silver Honda Civic at approximately 11:00 p.m. on January 5th. The vehicle was stopped in the vicinity of Sixth Street and Walker Street. During the initiation of the stop, a passenger exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
Law enforcement personnel issued multiple commands for the individual to stop; however, the subject continued to flee. Officers pursued the individual and successfully apprehended him a short distance away from the initial stop. The suspect was identified as a 17-year-old male and a suspected gang member.
A subsequent search of the area resulted in the recovery of a loaded, unserialized pistol and a quantity of cocaine. Authorities determined that these items had been in the possession of the teenager. Following the recovery of the evidence, the 17-year-old was taken into custody and transported to Juvenile Hall.
The suspect was booked on several charges, including possession of a firearm, drug-related offenses, and resisting arrest. At this time, the driver of the Honda Civic and a second passenger have not been apprehended and remain outstanding. The investigation into the incident and the remaining individuals is ongoing.
