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CRIME DIGEST
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• CHECKPOINT SNAGS CAR THEFT SUSPECTS: CERES - A DUI checkpoint held on Dec. 30 resulted in the arrest of two auto theft suspects, police reported last week.

Parolees Christopher Garcia, 42, of Modesto, and Aaron Groomes, 35, of Empire, were apprehended after a police pursuit after the pair fled the checkpoint. Both were charged with multiple felonies including auto theft, possession of stolen property, evading police officers and violating parole.

The incident unfolded as officers were setting up for the DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint at 7 p.m. that night. At that time a call was made to 911 dispatchers by the owner of a stolen vehicle who was following his vehicle with the two suspects inside. The large concentration of officers allowed a quick response to the area. The stolen car was located quickly but the driver refused to stop and accelerated to speeds up to 60 mph in residential areas. The chase lasted several minutes. Officers safely ended the pursuit by using a pursuit intervention technique. Garcia and Groomes attempted to run but were captured by the officers.

The stolen vehicle was recovered and returned to its owner.

• CRASH INJURES TWO: CERES - A Saturday evening accident at Whitmore Avenue and Fifth Street sent a grandmother and her seven-year-old granddaughter to the hospital with critical injuries.

The pair were struck at 7:50 p.m. by a Chevy pickup driven by a 25-year-old Ceres man. Police are investigating the crash to determine who was at fault.

Both victims were taken to hospitals for treatment of their injuries. The woman sustained head injuries and cuts and bruises. The girl was flown Saturday to the University of California Medical Center in Sacramento in serious condition with broken ribs and internal injuries.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is urged to call Ceres officer Keith Kitcher at 538-5700, ext. 5112.