A two-and-a-half minute police pursuit of a stolen car and suspect ended Friday evening with an arrest and vehicle recovery.

The incident began at 8:49 p.m. when Officer Jesus Salinas watched a dark-colored Honda run a stop sign at Richland Avenue and Evans Road and attempted to stop the driver. The officer activated his lights and a pursuit was on. The chase went on northbound Richland Avenue and eastbound on River Road. During the chase, the driver swerved into the oncoming lane and nearly struck a patrol car driven by Officer Ron Collins who was joining the pursuit. The driver continued eastbound but failed to negotiate a turn in the road and crashed into trees and bushes.

The driver, Adam Santana III, 20, of Ceres, took off running. A motorist who saw Santana being chased by the officer decided to do his part by swerving toward the suspect, causing him to slow down enough to be captured.

Santana was arrested and booked on charges of being in possession a stolen vehicle, possession of burglary tools, fleeing a police officer and assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.

Ceres Police Department spokesman Lt. James Yandell said the vehicle had been stolen in Modesto.