Pursuit suspect from Merced captured in Ripon

After searching through the night and following up on tips from residents, Ripon Police located a suspect who fled into the town following a pursuit with the California Highway Patrol.

The pursuit entered Ripon just after midnight when the suspect abandoned the vehicle he was driving near the Calvary Reformed Church on Second Street. The suspect was seen jumping fences in the neighborhood, according to a press release from Ripon Police Lt. Steve Merchant.

Ripon officers reached through the night and responded to tips from residents were were reporting the suspect’s movements.

At about 6:30 a.m., officers found the suspect at the Shell gas station on Main Street, Merchant said. He ran from approaching officers toward the Main Street overcross. Additional officers responded to the scene and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

Officers located a bicycle the suspect had reportedly stolen during his attempt to elude officers, Merchant said.

Lajawn Trumaine Cokley, 31, of Merced was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on suspicion of crimes that include resisting arrest and theft.

Merchant did not say where initiated the pursuit with Cokley.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 7:42 PM with the headline "Pursuit suspect from Merced captured in Ripon."