Merced County deputies do have authority on the highway, arrested man finds out

A San Jose man tried to talk his way out of an arrest by telling Merced County Sheriff’s deputies they don’t have any authority on state highways, according to a news release.

A deputy attempted to stop a car about 11:09 p.m. Monday on Highway 99 near Hammatt Avenue, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The black 2001 Lexus was being driven by 33-year-old Patrick Omeara, according to deputies. The driver did not stop and continued south on Highway 99 at about 60 mph.

Two other deputies positioned themselves on the highway near Merced’s G Street and used spike strips to slow the car, deputies said. The slow-speed pursuit continued until the car became disabled about a mile south of Le Grand, deputies said.

Omeara was taken into custody without incident and told deputies that he saw the Sheriff’s cruisers behind him, according to the news release, but didn’t stop because “Sheriffs don’t have authority on the freeway.”

“Think again,” the sheriff’s office said the news release.

Deputies have the authority to make arrests anywhere they see a crime, Deputy Daryl Allen confirmed.

Inside the car, deputies found a black pistol-grip 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun and small amounts of methamphetamine, heroin and drug paraphernalia, deputies said.

Omeara was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of drug possession and evading police, and remains in custody in lieu of $64,576, according to jail records.

This story was originally published August 14, 2018 at 2:26 PM.