Hollister
– A Hollister man briefly evaded local police and San Benito
County sheriff’s deputies on his mo-ped Friday afternoon, but was
captured after falling off the scooter.
Hollister – A Hollister man briefly evaded local police and San Benito County sheriff’s deputies on his mo-ped Friday afternoon, but was captured after falling off the scooter.
Cesar Lopez, 44, was arrested by the sheriff’s office on suspicion of evading a peace officer, resisting arrest and possession of a methamphetamine pipe, all misdemeanors, according to Lt. Roy Iler. Lopez was also wanted on a felony warrant for illegal gun possession, according to the sheriff’s office.
Det. John Pena arrested Lopez at the water treatment facility off of San Juan-Hollister Road at 4pm Friday.
Pena spotted Lopez driving a yellow 1978 Baretta mo-ped westbound on the sidewalk of Buena Vista Road Friday afternoon, according to deputies.
“I think it was just what he was on at the time,” Iler said of Lopez’s mode of transportation. “It probably wasn’t his vehicle of choice.”
Iler said Pena recognized Lopez as being one of San Benito County’s Most Wanted. When Pena attempted to pull Lopez over, Lopez looked back at him and turned onto Gonzalez Drive, according to deputies.
Lopez continued past Central Avenue, through the dead end of Gonzalez Drive, through a field and westbound onto San Juan Road, Iler said.
Pena was unable to follow Lopez through the field due to a barrier, according to deputies. Pena headed westbound on Central Avenue, southbound onto Graf Road and then westbound onto San Juan Road, according to deputies.
Hollister Police Department Officer Nick Carlquist spotted Lopez heading westbound on San Juan Road across the San Benito River bridge and helped Pena in the pursuit, according to deputies. Pena caught up to Lopez and assumed the lead of the chase, Iler said.
Lopez’s mo-ped exceeded 25 mph over the San Benito River bridge, and he turned northbound into the sewer ponds, according to deputies.
Lopez then turned eastbound onto a gravel levy where he drove down an embankment and fell off the mo-ped, Iler said. Pena and another deputy then tackled Lopez and placed him under arrest, Iler said.
Pena searched Lopez and found a methamphetamine pipe in his front right pocket, Iler said.
Lopez is being held at the San Benito County Jail in lieu of $37,000 in bail, according to jail personnel.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected].
