An armed robbery and car chase that began in San Jose culminated on southbound U.S. 101 just before the 10th Street off-ramp Tuesday around 11:30 a.m.
Three male suspects all from Salinas – Jorge Lopez, 26; Ray Botello, 24; Luis Gonzalez, 23 – in a silver Jeep SUV were arrested without incident on U.S. 101, according to the San Jose Police Department.
The chase began when San Jose police responded to a Wells Fargo Bank robbery in southeast San Jose at San Felipe Road, after three suspects entered the bank with handguns. A patrol officer spotted the Jeep near Hellyer Avenue on U.S. 101, according to a SJPD press release sent out Wednesday. The suspects evaded the officer and engaged in a chase with SJPD and other area law enforcement who assisted in their capture. The chase reached speeds of 60 to 70 miles per hour.
Suspects threw at least $13,000 of stolen cash in a bag out of the Jeep window along U.S. 101, according to Dakota Schmidt of the California Highway Patrol. Some officers stopped traffic to recover the money.Â
Officers found two pistols, an SKS assault rifle and police scanner in the Jeep. The car itself was confirmed stolen out of Greenfield, Calif.
It is not known at this time if these suspects were involved in any previous bank robberies. Â
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No injuries were reported at the bank or as a result of the pursuit. All three suspects were booked for armed robbery, evading police and possession of an assault weapon.Â
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