Police drew their guns while arresting two alleged drug dealers
on Eighth Street and Miller Avenue after the suspects followed a
newspaper delivery vehicle at extremely close range, police
said.
Police drew their guns while arresting two alleged drug dealers on Eighth Street and Miller Avenue early Wednesday after the suspects followed a newspaper delivery vehicle at extremely close range, police said.
The teenage suspects allegedly chased the female victim early Wednesday in a sport-utility vehicle at 3:46 a.m. from north Gilroy to the place of their arrest, Sgt. Jim Gillio said.
The driver of the vehicle, Edgar Ramirez, 19, of San Juan Bautista, and Cristian Omar Hernandez, 18, of Gilroy, were arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance for sale, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a concealed weapon in a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance with a loaded firearm and carrying an unregistered loaded firearm. Police also arrested a 14-year-old girl who was in the vehicle and none of the suspects knew the victim, Gillio said.
The newspaper delivery woman told police the SUV pulled beside her on Mantelli Drive near Church Street and Wren Avenue, when Perez allegedly began yelling from the passenger’s side for her to “get over here.” The victim did not want to stop for safety reasons and continued to drive through residential streets, Gillio said. The SUV began to follow her, and the woman dialed 911 on a cell phone at First Street Wren Avenue. At one point, the suspects allegedly followed so closely that their vehicle was nearly touching her bumper, Gillio said.
Police happened to be nearby at the time of the chase, and they immediately pursued the SUV and the newspaper carrier pulled over once police arrived, but the SUV kept on going, Gillio said. Police conducted a “high-risk stop” with guns drawn and arrested the suspects at about 3:52 a.m.
Police allege Hernandez is a gang member and may face additional charges, Gillio said. He is being held in Santa Clara County Jail on $150,000 bail, while Ramrirez is being held on $100,000 bail.
“We’re real proud of our officers for being there,” Gillio said.
