Two minors riding around in a stolen Honda were arrested last week after they failed to elude police after a wild chase through Ceres and south Modesto.

On Tuesday, Feb. 23 Officer Eric Gallegos saw a Honda Civic traveling eastbound on Don Pedro Road from Collins Road when he checked the license plate and learned it was stolen. 

When Officer Gallegos followed the vehicle as it made a southbound turn onto Moffett Road, the 17-year-old Modesto female driver sped off, blowing through a red light on westbound Service Road. 

The pursuit continued north on Collins Road to northbound Railroad Avenue. The vehicle accelerated to over 80 mph so when the Honda reached the sweeping turn on Railroad Avenue just before Whitmore Avenue, she lost control and rolled over a small tree on the east side of the road that became stuck underneath the car.

The driver made a U-turn and accelerated southbound on Railroad Avenue, dragging the tree beneath it. She attempted to turn westbound onto Industrial Avenue but was unable to because the tree interfered with the steering. 

The Honda came to a sliding stop toward a residential wooden fence near this intersection. Officer Gallegos tried to box in the Honda but the driver placed the Honda into reverse and rammed into officer’s patrol unit and pushing it back enough for her to escape.

The pursuit continued westbound onm Don Pedro Road to northbound on Central Avenue and back to Railroad Avenue. The Honda traveled westbound on Kinser Road at 60 mph before turning northbound onto Morgan Road, then westbound onto E. Whitmore Ave. Officer Gallegos terminated pursuing the vehicle shortly after passing Malik Avenue but  saw that the vehicle continue past Crowlanding Road and turn northbound onto Cyrus Hall Drive. Officer Freddie Ortiz located the female driver in the 2400 block of Havertown Place. Officer Gallegos was able to positively identify her as the driver.

A second suspect, a 16-year-old male passenger, was located in the 600 block of Park Hurst Way.

The stolen car was still running and parked in a driveway in the 500 block of Kirbys Mill Drive. The Honda was recovered and returned to its owner. 

The minor faces charges of evading an officer, assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest and hit and run. 

The male faces charges of grand theft auto, possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest.