SALINAS, Calif. -- Police arrested a 22-year old man after he led them on a pursuit, then hid under a mattress in a residential backyard late Thursday night.
Salinas Police say they heard approximately eight gunshots in the area of Linwood and Chaparral just before midnight. Officers were in the area of Elwood and Maryal for an area check, when they say they saw a Chevy Suburban traveling at a high rate of speed attempting to flee the area. Officers caught up to the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. That's when, police say, the vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued.
According to police, the pursuit lasted approximately five minutes through a residential area of North Salinas. Police say the suspect, 22-year old Henry Lechuga, crashed the suburban into a parked car in the 50 block of Julia. After the collision, the suspect took off running with the officers chasing after him.
Police say Lechuga ran through the backyards of several residences, and officers set up a perimeter. As officers were conducting an area check in a backyard, they say they located the suspect hiding under a mattress. Police say the suspect struggled, but they were able to take him into custody.
A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded 9mm Glock. A records check on the handgun revealed the gun was stolen in a residential burglary in 2002. The suspect was transported to county jail for several charges.
