Man arrested after crashing stolen motorcycle during pursuit, Merced deputies say

A Delhi man was arrested Friday after a vehicle pursuit in Merced County, authorities said.

According to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, at about 11:48 a.m., a sergeant was patrolling the area of Schendel Avenue and Stephens Street in Delhi when the sergeant witnessed a man on a motorcycle drive past him and through and intersection without stopping.

The sergeant attempted a traffic stop but the rider refused, resulting in a pursuit. According to authorities, the pursuit lasted about seven minutes until the rider, later identified as 30-year-old Lorenzo Antonio Gonzalez, lost control of the motorcycle and crashed near Highway 99 and Collier Road. Gonzalez was not wearing a helmet, authorities said.

After crashing, Gonzalez ran across Highway 99 before being arrested a short time later by a deputy, the Sheriff’s Office said.

During an investigation, authorities learned that Gonzalez had a felony warrant for his arrest and the motorcycle had been reported stolen out of Turlock, according to a sheriff’s news release.

Authorities said Gonzalez also dropped two plastic baggies which contained about 25 grams of methamphetamine near the crash site.

Gonzalez was arrested and booked into Merced County Jail on the felony warrant, as well as suspicion of felony possession of a stolen property, evading, transportation or sale of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, according to jail records.

This story was originally published August 16, 2020 at 10:52 AM.