Atwater police arrest pursuit suspect
A 31-year-old man was arrested Friday after allegedly brandishing a firearm in a McDonald’s restaurant and leading police in a vehicle pursuit.
Atwater police responded at 8:44 p.m. to the 2720 Shaffer Road restaurant after a report of a man with a gun, according to a department press release.
While officers were heading to the scene, dispatch advised that the suspect, later identified as Carlos Israel Rojas, had allegedly brandished the firearm in the restaurant, placed the weapon in his waistband and fled the scene in a vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle was described as a blue BMW, headed northbound on Shaffer Road toward Santa Fe Drive.
Officer Fred Robinson spotted the suspect vehicle and followed it westbound on Santa Fe Drive, heading toward Winton. The officer activated his emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop at California Street and Santa Fe Drive, but the suspect failed to yield.
The driver made several turns, and the pursuit ended in the 6500 block of Eden Avenue in Winton. The driver exited his vehicle and placed his hands in the air. Police said Rojas was defiant and refused commands to go to the ground. As a result, police said they had to physically force the suspect to the ground. During the struggle, the suspect received a minor injury to the head.
Rojas went to the ground and was taken into custody, according to the release.
Police conducted a search of the vehicle, and found a large black knife in a sheath, although no firearm was discovered.
Witnesses identified Rojas as the person seen in the restaurant.
Rojas’ driver’s license is suspended, and at the time of the call he appeared to be intoxicated, according to police. Police also said there was an open container inside the suspect’s car.
The suspect was booked into the Merced County jail on suspicion of evading police and other charges. He was released on his own recognizance Saturday morning.
This story was originally published December 6, 2014 at 10:58 AM with the headline "Atwater police arrest pursuit suspect."