Merced man arrested on suspicion of kidnapping after high-speed chase

A 29-year-old Merced man accused of kidnapping a man and leading Atwater police on a high-speed chase in a stolen SUV was in custody Monday without bond.

Jonathan C. Arellano was booked into John Latoracca Correctional Center on Sunday on suspicion of kidnapping, evading police, extortion and battery, according to records.

Atwater police say Arellano forced a 28-year-old man to get into his vehicle on Sunday. Emergency dispatchers received a call from the victim just before 11 p.m. and could hear him whispering for help.

Officers who responded to the call went to the 1200 block of Packers Street and contacted Arellano. While officers were speaking with several people outside the brown SUV, Arellano sped away toward Cedar Avenue, police said.

Officers pursued through several streets in Atwater and reached speeds of about 100 mph before the suspect’s vehicle spun out of control at Park Avenue and Winton Way, police said. Arellano was arrested.

The victim was found in the back of the SUV, hidden under a blanket, police said.

“After an interview with him, it was discovered that he had been assaulted by Arellano and told to get into the vehicle under duress by Arellano,” Atwater police Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

A motive remained under investigation Monday.

The SUV had been reported stolen Saturday in Livingston, police said.

This story was originally published November 16, 2015 at 6:35 PM with the headline "Merced man arrested on suspicion of kidnapping after high-speed chase."