Man arrested for carjacking after chase in Merced County

A drunken San Jose man led Merced County authorities on a chase early Monday in a stolen car before crashing the vehicle, California Highway Patrol officers reported.

According to a CHP collision report, 21-year-old Joseph Izzac Salazar was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence, vehicle theft, evading a police officer, suspended driver’s license, receiving stolen property and carrying a loaded firearm.

At approximately 12:13 a.m., Salazar attempted to rob a customer of a Rotten Robbie gas station in Santa Nella at gunpoint, according to the CHP report, but the victim escaped without injury.

Salazar then carjacked a 2007 Mazda3 at a Valero gas station across the street, officers said.

While responding, a Los Banos CHP unit spotted the Mazda traveling southbound on Highway 33, north of Highway 152, and started pursuing the car, investigators said.

The Mazda turned west onto Highway 152, and the officers reportedly saw Salazar toss a gun from the car.

According to the report, the gun was later located by deputies from the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

The chase continued into San Benito County, where the car collided with a guardrail on Highway 101 southbound from Highway 156, west of Hollister.

Salazar attempted to flee by foot, but was apprehended by the officers, the CHP said.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 10:36 AM with the headline "Man arrested for carjacking after chase in Merced County."