Recently, deputies working out of the Santa Clarita Sheriff Station arrested two individuals from Bakersfield after a foot pursuit near the Valencia Town Center. According to reports, the whole thing started after deputies received a report of “suspicious activity” happening near the mall. When they arrived to investigate, the suspects took off in their vehicle – which they crashed into a nearby tree a short time later. The suspects attempted to flee on foot but were soon apprehended by police. A juvenile was also in the vehicle at the time of the pursuit.
The driver of the vehicle is facing charges of reckless endangerment, since there was a juvenile in the vehicle when he attempted to flee police, evading a peace officer, resisting a peace officer, and receiving stolen property. His bail was set at $25,000. The other suspect is being charged with receiving stolen property and evading a peace officer. His bail was set at $10,000. The juvenile was determined to be a passenger in the vehicle during the whole ordeal and was released without charges. Both suspects are parolees, further complicating and increasing the potential penalties they’ll likely face.
Evading a peace officer is covered under California Vehicle Code 2800.1 VC. It’s a misdemeanor in California that carries the potential penalties of up to 1 year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Resisting a peace officer, a.k.a. resisting arrest, is covered under California Penal Code 148 PC. It is also a California misdemeanor and carries with it up to 1 year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Receiving stolen property is covered under California Penal Code 496 PC and is a “wobbler” that can be charged as either a misdemeanor OR a felony depending on the circumstances of the case. When charged as a misdemeanor, the potential penalties include up to 1 year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. When charged as a felony, the potential penalties include 16 months to 3 years in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Since both suspects were parolees, they’ll likely have to go back to jail and finish the remainder of their sentences from their previous convictions, as well as anything that comes from the new charges.
