Newman man arrested after chase

GUSTINE -- The Merced County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Newman man on charges of felony evading, driving on a suspended license and resisting arrest early today after he led police on a high-speed chase around Gustine.

According to reports, a deputy tried to stop Ronnie Soares, 39, near Gustine at 12:30 a.m. Soares took off on his motorcycle, and a pursuit reaching speeds of 100 mph ensued before he crashed at Hunt Road and Third Avenue in Gustine.

A passenger on the cycle was detained, but Soares ran away, deputies said. Deputy Adam Deniz and his K-9, Tyson, were called for backup. The dog tracked Soares to the 100 block of Third Avenue; deputies found him hiding in bushes in the front yard.

When Soares did not comply with orders to surrender, Deniz released Tyson. The dog bit Soares on the hood of his sweatshirt and dragged him from the bushes.

Soares reportedly told deputies he ran because he was afraid he had warrants out for his arrest. He remains jailed with bail set at $53,800.