Last Thursday, Ceres Police were on alert for a stolen vehicle, a 2000 Honda Civic, identified in the vicinity of Hatch Road and Mitchell Road. According to the Ceres Police Department’s social media post, Officer Lord-Huff spotted the car and monitored it until additional officers could arrive to back him up. In an unexpected turn, the suspects pulled over – only to suddenly accelerate away as a traffic stop was initiated.
The chase led authorities on a high-speed pursuit through rural roads near Ceres, with assistance from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office air unit. A Stanislaus County Deputy deployed stop sticks, puncturing the Civic's tires and causing it to slow down. Officer Souza then performed a PIT maneuver, bringing the stolen car to a stop. Two suspects were found inside the vehicle; one surrendered immediately, while the other fled on foot into the night.
The pursuit didn't end there, as Officer Gallenkamp and K9 partner Fiona took up the chase. “K9 Fiona was able to assist in apprehending the second suspect,” the police department noted. A search of the abandoned Honda Civic uncovered a concealed AR-15 rifle. Further investigation revealed that both suspects had extensive criminal histories, with multiple felony warrants for their arrests. They now face additional charges for evading law enforcement and weapons offenses.
