A Modesto teen driver was arrested Tuesday evening, Feb. 2 after he led an officer only trying to stop him for a burned-out headlight on a chase through the streets of Ceres.

At 9:31 p.m. Officer Nicolas Welsh spotted a white-colored Lexus eastbound on Hatch Road near Moffett Road with an inoperable headlight. Officer Welsh made a U-turn to stop the vehicle which had sped off, weaving in and out of traffic to get away, still with no headlights. The Lexus made a southbound turn onto Mitchell Road, nearly colliding with another vehicle that had the right of way. 

Officer Welsh activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop the Lexus but the driver only accelerated again with Officer Welsh in hot pursuit.

The Lexus made a sliding eastbound turn onto Fowler Road as the officer lost sight of the car. 

Seconds later Officer Welsh was flagged down by another motorist who told him they saw the Lexus make a turn on Larkspur Lane with headlights off. Officers descended on the area and found the Lexus parked in a driveway in the 3400 block of Heather Lane. 

The vehicle appeared to be unoccupied but as officers approached, they could smell the odor of burning oil and brake pads. As they got closer, they saw Oscar Alcazar, 19, of Modesto crouched down in the driver seat attempting to hide. He complied with orders to exit and was arrested.

Alcazar was an unlicensed driver. The residents told police they did not know Alcazar who was charged with evading a police officer and driving without a license.