A simple stop for a vehicle code infraction turned into a vehicle and foot pursuit and led to the arrest of two men and the recovery of drugs and a gun.

The incident began shortly before 6 p.m. July 1 in the area of Whitmore and Central avenues. An officer tried to pull over a van for an infraction, but the driver decided to ignore the officer and sped away. The officer gave chase and additional officers were called to assist, said Ceres Police Lt. Chris Perry.

As the pursuit went over the Whitmore overpass the officer saw the front passenger throw a dark object out the window. Another officer searched the area and found a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun, Perry said.

The pursuit wound its way through several city streets. At Kinser Road the van briefly stopped and the front passenger got out and took off on foot. Other officers followed him while others continued chasing the van.

The van turned onto Don Pedro, where it crashed into a fence. The driver continued to try and get away, but eventually stopped the van on Bing Lane. The driver, identified as Sergio Olivos, 20, of Modesto was taken into custody on charges of felony evading, hit and run and a probation violation.

The passenger, who was identified as Angel Morison, 19, of Modesto, continued his bid for freedom by running through yards and jumping over fences. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department assisted in setting up a perimeter of the area and Morison was found in the backyard of a home in the 2900 block of Willets Way. Perry said Morison gave one more effort at trying to escape by jumping over another fence, but it came to no avail. An officer was on the other side and took him into custody in the 2900 block of Blaker Road.

A bag of methamphetamine was found near the area where Morison was captured, Perry said.

Morison was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance for sale, resisting arrest, possession of a dangerous weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a gang enhancement.