By Khalida Sarwari
Monterey County sheriff’s deputies arrested two suspected gang members following a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle from Castroville to Salinas early this morning.
Deputies attempted to stop a black 1993 Honda Civic hatchback for an equipment violation around 2:25 a.m. near Merritt and Preston streets in Castroville, according to the sheriff’s office.
The driver of the Honda, however, refused to stop, and led the deputies on a high-speed pursuit from Castroville to Salinas, where the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a parked car near Garner Avenue and Sunset Street, sheriff’s officials said.
The Honda, which officers later determined was stolen from Santa Cruz, also damaged a sheriff’s patrol car.
The occupants of the Honda fled on foot, but deputies found them hiding at separate homes and took them into custody.
The driver was identified as Rogelio Juarez, a Salinas resident who turned 20 today.
The passenger was identified as Jesus Castillo, 27, also of Salinas. He was allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine and is on parole, according to the sheriff’s office.
Both are Sureno gang members, sheriff’s officials said.
Two deputies suffered minor injuries in the incident, as did Juarez and Castillo.
