The driver of a stolen car led Morgan Hill Police on a
high-speed chase, and all four of the vehicle’s occupants were
arrested when the pursuit ended in a crash in San Jose.
Morgan Hill
The driver of a stolen car led police on a high-speed chase, and all four of the vehicle’s occupants were arrested when the pursuit ended in a crash in San Jose.
About 3:10 a.m. Monday, Morgan Hill Police Cpl. Ray Ramos attempted to pull over a Toyota Matrix whose driver was speeding and ignoring stop signs near Crest and Wright avenues, according to Sgt. Jerry Neumayer.
The vehicle did not pull over when the officer attempted to stop it. A chase began on Hale Avenue and continued onto Monterey Road, where speeds exceeded 95 miles per hour.
During the pursuit, the officer learned from dispatch that the Toyota had been carjacked moments earlier from a man who was visiting the Morgan Hill Community Park on West Edmundson Avenue, Neumayer said.
The owner of the vehicle, a 62-year-old Morgan Hill man, happened to report the carjacking about the same time police initially attempted to stop the car. He told police that he was inside his car when four Hispanic men in a red Honda pulled up and parked next to him. Neumayer said the man left the vehicle to throw away trash when all four men got out of the Honda and approached him.
They demanded his wallet, and they punched and kicked him until he fell on the ground, then they took his keys and left the area in his car. The victim walked home on foot and called police.
Ramos continued to pursue the vehicle north on Monterey Road until it lost control attempting to negotiate a turn too quickly at the intersection of Blossom Hill Road. The car overturned twice before coming to rest, police said. The driver climbed out of the vehicle and tried to leave on foot, but Offcr. Scott Purvis arrested him without incident.
No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved in the accident, Neumayer said.
All four suspects were arrested and treated for injuries suffered in the accident at Valley Medical Center in San Jose. They were medically cleared and booked into county jail.
During the follow-up investigation, police discovered the red Honda the suspects left behind at Community Park was also stolen out of Redwood City. It was returned to its owner.
Arrested were the driver Alfonso Haro, 23 of San Jose, for robbery, carjacking, conspiracy, possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading a police officer, stealing a vehicle and violation of parole as he was on active California Department of Corrections for a previous carjacking incident; Emmanuel Cotti, 18 of San Jose, for robbery, carjacking, conspiracy, possession of a stolen vehicle, and stealing a vehicle; Luis Martinez, 18 of San Jose, for robbery, carjacking, conspiracy, possession of a stolen vehicle, and stealing a vehicle; David Rodriguez, 19 of San Jose, for robbery, carjacking, conspiracy, possession of a stolen vehicle, and stealing a vehicle.
