The Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force has released more information about Saturday’s arrest of Turlock man for attempted murder and auto theft, following a high-speed pursuit.
Juan Zapata, 22, was arrested for auto theft, two separate counts of felony evading, possession of a stolen vehicle, misdemeanor hit and run, and outstanding warrants for attempted murder and weapon charges, said StanCATT Supervisor Sgt. Alan Pittman.
Zapata allegedly stole a 2006 Lexus from Emeryville and was spotted by StanCATT Saturday morning. The sighting prompted a high-speed chase toward Hilmar, with Turlock police and California Highway Patrol officers in pursuit.
Zapata collided with another vehicle near the Merced County line and continued toward Hilmar. Due to heavy traffic, the Turlock Police Department terminated the pursuit.
Zapata was later spotted by StanCATT on northbound Highway 99 near Bradbury Road, where they attempted to pull the stolen vehicle over. Zapata fled, prompting another high-speed pursuit with CHP.
The CHP Commercial Unit dropped spike strips at the West Main Street exit and hit one of the Lexus’s front tires.
The suspect continued driving at speeds in excess of 70 mph until he was eventually stopped and apprehended on Angelus Street, near Orange Street, in Turlock.
