Modesto mom accused of leading deputies on pursuit with her toddler in the vehicle
A Modesto mother was arrested Sunday night after allegedly leading deputies on a pursuit in a stolen vehicle with her 2-year-old daughter inside.
A Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputy initiated a traffic stop around 10 p.m. when he spotted a stolen Chevrolet Astro van near Mark Twain Park on California Avenue in west Modesto, Sgt. Luke Schwartz said.
The driver failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. Schwartz said the driver crossed into the opposing traffic lane and ran multiple stop signs during the two-minute pursuit.
It ended about a mile away when the driver reached a dead-end on the west side of Briggs Avenue.
Leta Arias, 32, was ordered out of the van at gunpoint and arrested without further incident.
Deputies found her 2-year-old daughter in the van, not secured in any type of safety restraint, Schwartz said.
Arias was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment, auto theft, felony reckless evading, possession of stolen property and probation violation. She also had an out-of-county warrant for possession of stolen property and providing false identification to a peace officer.
Her passenger, 55-year-old Mabel Rose Arias, was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court multiple times on a domestic violence charge.
Schwartz said Child Protective Services was called to take care of the little girl.
