Chase in Atwater ends with 1 in custody

A short vehicle chase over the weekend ended in Atwater with one man in custody facing possible misdemeanor charges, police reported.

Thunder S. Teixeira, 33, was booked into the Merced County jail on suspicion of evading police, driving without a license and speeding, according to booking records.

Police identified Teixeira as the driver of a white Toyota 4Runner who sped away from officers Friday night in Atwater, Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

Police spotted the vehicle just before midnight leaving a mobile home park in the 2800 block of Buhach Road “in a reckless manner,” officers said.

The vehicle sped up when officers tried to stop it and turned onto East Bellevue Road. The vehicle sped up to about 50 mph on Castle Drive, police said.

A short time later, the driver turned west onto Peach Tree Court and abruptly stopped in a parking lot. The driver surrendered without further incident, Joseph said.

Teixeira was released from custody Saturday morning, according to booking records.

Joseph praised the officers involved in the pursuit.

No injuries or damage were reported.

This story was originally published June 7, 2015 at 2:34 PM with the headline "Chase in Atwater ends with 1 in custody."