Valencia, California – Jose Barrera Gonzalez, 20, and Ronald Escobar Petz, 24, were arrested Monday after separate pursuits involving stolen vehicles on the 5 Freeway near Valencia. The chase began around 12:30 p.m. when officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) attempted a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle near the 5 Freeway and Highway 126.
Barrera Gonzalez, the driver of the first vehicle, fled the scene, initiating a pursuit. Moments later, another CHP unit found a second stolen vehicle near the southbound 5 Freeway and Valencia Boulevard, driven by Petz, who also failed to yield. Petz took the chase south on the 5 Freeway before transitioning to the 170 Freeway and exiting onto Sherman Way. He attempted to flee on foot but was arrested near Saticoy and Lankershim Boulevard.
Meanwhile, Barrera Gonzalez continued his pursuit on the 5 Freeway, eventually transitioning to State Route 2 and later returning to surface streets. After losing a rear tire, he abandoned the vehicle near Halldale Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard, where he was quickly apprehended by CHP officers.
At the beginning of the pursuit, one CHP officer collided with another vehicle. After the suspects were taken into custody, it was discovered that both men allegedly stole GMC trucks from a dealership in Carson City County, Nevada. Drugs were found in one of the vehicles, although it was unclear which suspect was in possession of them.
Both suspects are now in custody, facing charges related to vehicle theft, evading law enforcement, and drug possession.
