When Ceres Police spotted a Chevy Avalanche speeding southbound on Mitchell Road at a high rate of speed and tried to stop the driver Thursday evening, a pursuit into Hughson resulted.

Roberto Mesa Garcia Jr., 40, of Ceres went to jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, felony evading a peace officer, and reckless driving.

The incident unfolded at 10:01 p.m., when Officer Charles Rushing was monitoring traffic at Garrison Avenue and Mitchell Road  when he saw the speeding motorist and pursued it. 

The driver of the Chevy continued speeding – and ran red lights – without regard for the safety of others. Officer Rushing activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop Garcia who refused to pull over.

The chase ended in Hughson, after an officer used spike strips to pop the car’s tires. Garcia ran from the vehicle and evading police a while but the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department helicopter helped direct officers to where Garcia was hiding.