Merced police chase stolen vehicle; alleged driver is jailed

A car chase involving a stolen vehicle and Merced police ended over the weekend with one arrest.

The incident began when Merced officers saw a 1995 BMW stolen out of Atwater in Merced near R and West 16th streets about 4 p.m. Sunday. Two men were inside the vehicle, police said.

Officers tried to stop the car near R and West 13th streets, but the driver continued on and got onto southbound Highway 99. Officers pursued the car at speeds approaching 100 mph. The car exited Highway 99 at East Childs Avenue and continued to flee.

The car stopped at La Purisima and South G streets, and the two men got out of the car and fled, police said. The driver broke down fences and ran through backyards. He broke into a garage on San Clemente Drive while the residents were home.

Officers arrested the alleged driver, Norman Rojas, 30, of Merced. He was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of auto theft, fleeing an officer, violation of parole, driving on a suspended license, vandalism, possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI. He is being held at the John Latorraca Correctional Center with no bail.

The passenger in the car was not caught.

This story was originally published August 3, 2015 at 8:37 AM with the headline "Merced police chase stolen vehicle; alleged driver is jailed."