Pursuit of auto theft suspect in Merced leads to crash into tree
A stolen truck led to a chase and eventually a crash into a tree in Merced on Sunday.
The victim of the stolen vehicle reported the theft from a church parking lot, according to California Highway Patrol in Merced.
The suspect was found near Santa Fe Road and Olive Avenue, according to a CHP Merced Facebook post.
When officers tried to stop the suspect, the driver fled and a pursuit began.
The pursuit continued through Merced and ended when the vehicle collided with a tree at 16th and T streets, the post said.
No one was injured in the crash, and the suspect was arrested.
This story was originally published January 25, 2026 at 3:21 PM.
Jim Silva
The Modesto Bee