Deputies break up sideshow at former airfield in Crows Landing. Merced man arrested
Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputies broke up a large illegal sideshow at the former Crows Landing Naval Air Station on Sunday night and arrested one driver who fled at speeds over 100 mph, authorities said.
The department’s helicopter unit spotted about 200 vehicles at the airfield on Bell Road south of Patterson just before 7 p.m., said Sgt. Luke Schwartz.
When deputies in patrol cars responded to the scene, vehicles began to disperse and two drivers left, heading north on Highway 33 at speeds of over 100 mph, Schwartz said.
Due to the reckless driving and threat to public safety, deputies on the ground did not pursue the suspects, but the helicopter followed them.
Schwartz said one of the vehicles continued north while the other, a silver Mustang, went east on Las Palmas Avenue.
The helicopter followed the Mustang as it headed toward Turlock, running red lights and reaching speeds of 110 mph.
A deputy in Turlock set up spike strips on Main Street, east of Tegner Avenue, and the Mustang ran over them. Schwartz said the spike strips deflated three of the Mustang’s tires and the car slowed to 10 mph before colliding with another vehicle on West Main Street at Highway 99.
The driver of the Mustang, a 24-year-old Merced resident, ran from the vehicle but quickly was apprehended by deputies. He was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving, engaging in speed contests and hit and run with property damage.
The driver of the vehicle hit by the Mustang suffered minor injuries.
This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 11:46 AM.
