BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A 39-year-old man was arrested after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Shafter and Bakersfield on Tuesday night.
According to the Shafter Police Department, officers spotted a reported stolen vehicle—a white and black 2022 Ford dump truck—near Central Valley Highway and West Tulare Avenue at about 11:10 p.m. on August 19, 2025.
The lone driver, later identified as Rolando Javier Chavez Ortiz, refused to exit the vehicle despite repeated commands. Deputies from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, officers from the Wasco Police Department, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) quickly joined the response.
CHP officers deployed a tire deflation device, but Chavez Ortiz drove over it and sped away, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph. The chase extended through rural areas north of Shafter before heading south into Bakersfield.
Additional tire deflation devices deployed by CHP and Bakersfield Police caused further damage to the dump truck. Chavez Ortiz then drove the wrong way on southbound Highway 99, ultimately stopping on the west shoulder near California Avenue.
The suspect fled on foot across the freeway but was apprehended by CHP and Bakersfield Police near the east shoulder.
Chavez Ortiz was arrested for two counts of felony evading, felony vandalism, possession of a stolen vehicle, and resisting arrest. He also faced six outstanding warrants, including felony no-bail warrants for violation of Post-Release Community Supervision and four counts of burglary.
He was booked into the Justice Receiving Facility with no bail allowed.
