Suspects arrested after stolen vehicle pursuit in Los Banos, police say

Two suspects have been arrested after attempting to run from authorities in a stolen vehicle, according to police.

According to Los Banos Police Sgt. Justin Melden, John David Faulk, 33, of Los Banos and Micheal Conrad Villegas Harbaugh, 26, of Turlock, were arrested by officers Tuesday, after they attempted to evade and hide from officers.

Authorities said officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Birch Avenue and Mulberry Way at about 12:30 p.m.. Officers located a 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck with two occupants and discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Turlock, according to Melden.

Police said that as officers attempted a traffic stop in the area of Cardoza Road and Hemlock Drive, the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed. According to Melden, the vehicle ran multiple stop signs and reached speeds of about 70 mph as police pursued the suspects for just over 2 miles.

Police said the suspects eventually stopped the vehicle behind Tractor Supply Co. and fled the area on foot over several fences. Multiple officers established a perimeter and the suspects were located in the 1000 block of Ash Avenue hiding in the backyards of neighboring homes.

Melden said the two men surrendered and were arrested without incident. Faulk, who police believe to be the driver of the vehicle, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of felony vehicle theft, evading a peace officer and reckless driving, according to jail records.

Harbaugh was arrested on suspicion of felony vehicle theft and misdemeanor resisting a peace officer, according to jail records.

“Thankfully there was no reported injuries to any occupants and nobody was involved in any type of traffic collisions,” said Melden.

This story was originally published January 23, 2020 at 1:52 PM.