Police arrest driver, find unregistered gun after pursuit by car and on foot in Los Banos

A driver who attempted to flee a traffic stop was arrested after a pursuit in Los Banos, according to authorities.

Officers with the Los Banos Police Department Gang Unit attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation in the incident that began about 9:16 p.m. Wednesday at East Pacheco Boulevard and Place Road, according to a Los Banos Police Department social media post.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as 24-year-old Erik Chavez Solis, allegedly failed to stop for the officers and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The officers followed Solis to the area of Snipe Lane and Heron Drive, where he abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, authorities said.

Following a short foot chase, officers apprehended Solis and he was taken into custody. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a loaded unregistered pistol, ammunition and contraband, according to the release.

Solis was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony evading, being a felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, carrying a loaded firearm not in lawful possession, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, violation of probation and misdemeanor resisting, according to jail records.

He remains in custody in lieu of $200,000 bond.