Two Merced gang members arrested, third man sought after chase, police say
Two known gang members were arrested Friday in Merced after leading police on a vehicle chase while the driver was intoxicated, according to the Police Department.
A third man escaped and is wanted for questioning by police, officers said in a news release.
Police captured the driver, Francisco J. Zagal, 24, and a passenger in the vehicle, Richard C. Thomas, 32, after the chase ended in the 3400 block of De Anza Avenue, Sgt. Robert Solis said in the statement.
Police said Sgt. Brian Rodriguez saw a white Nissan Altima run a stop sign in the area of Buena Vista Drive and M streets just before 11:30 p.m. Friday. The vehicle tried to evade the officer when he activated his lights and sirens, police said.
Solis joined the chase and said the vehicle raced through several more stop signs during the pursuit through the neighborhood, officers said.
During the chase, police said, a passenger scrambled out of the suspect’s vehicle and ran away. The chase continued for a short time along several streets in the same area before the driver pulled over.
Police arrested Zagal and Thomas. Officers described both men as known gang members.
Zagal was booked at the Merced County jail on suspicion of evading police, drunken driving, a probation violation and driving on a suspended license, police said.
He posted bail and was released from custody just before 6:30 a.m. Saturday, according to booking records.
Zagal was convicted of drunken driving in September and arrested on suspicion of drunken driving again in January, booking records show.
Thomas remained in custody on the alleged parole violation, according to jail records. Details of his prior conviction were not available Saturday.
Police described the passenger who ran from the vehicle as a Latino male adult, about 5 foot 6 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Sgt. Rodriguez at (209) 385-4710 or the Tipline at (209) 385-4725. Tips are confidential and callers may remain anonymous.
This story was originally published March 21, 2015 at 7:02 AM with the headline "Two Merced gang members arrested, third man sought after chase, police say."