A Ceres teenager faces charges in court for leading police on a short pursuit that nearly caused accidents on Wednesday afternoon, July 20. A passenger was cited for resisting arrest.

At 5:28 p.m. Officer Mathew Berlier was on patrol at Darrah Street and Central Avenue when he observed a Buick drive past him with tin foil on the driver side window which is a vehicle code violation. Berlier pulled over the car in the 1700 block of Margaret Way but as he exited the patrol vehicle the driver of the Buick sped off. Berlier got back into his car and gave chase.

The Buick traveled northbound on Margaret and raced through the stop sign at Richard Way. The Buick turned westbound Richard Way and reached speeds of over 60 mph in a posted 25 mph zone. The suspect did not slow down for the speed bumps and continued to accelerate. The driver failed to stop at Richard Way and Richland Avenue where there is a stop sign. The driver sped across Richland Avenue causing two vehicles, one traveling northbound and one traveling southbound, to slam on their breaks to avoid a collision. The driver continued across Richland Avenue to Winthrop Lane. At the corner of Winthrop and Norwood Heights the vehicle came to a sliding stop near the opening in a fence that leads to the south side of the Vineyard Apartments (1625 Richland Avenue).

Three males ran from the vehicle and began to flee on foot through the apartment complex. Officer Berlier chased the driver and front-seat passenger and ordered them to stop, but they failed to comply. Berlier pursued both suspects on foot until they gave up in front of 1626 Stephanie Way. The foot pursuit lasted approximately 0.16 miles. Berlier arrested both.

The third male escaped.

The 17-year-old driver said he ran because he did not have a license. He was booked into Juvenile Hall on charges of evading police and resisting arrest.

The front passenger, a 17-year-old Ceres boy, would not provide a statement and was released to his mother at the scene. Criminal charges of resisting arrest will be sought against him.

The involved vehicle was towed.