Three Modesto teenagers were arrested after a Wednesday, Oct. 21 hit and run crash which led to the discovery that it involved a stolen car.

At 6:43 p.m. Officer Eric Gallegos responded to the area of Malik and Aristocrat for a hit and run crash. The victim had located the suspect vehicle, a white 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer, near Strawberry Fields Park. The officer approached the car and its occupants but the car took off and a short pursuit ensued down Malik Avenue to Aristocrat Drive to southbound Morgan Road where it collided with another car at Morgan and Hackett roads. Driver Adam Santana, 19, of Modesto, ran on foot into the neighborhood with Officer Gallegos chasing after him. It was later discovered that two occupants inside the car had ducked down in the seat but were seen by bystanders running from the Lancer to the park where they were found later hiding in the restrooms.

Additional officers arrived and found Santana hiding in a backyard on Thomasnell Drive.

It was later learned that the Lancer was stolen but not yet reported.

Santana was charged with auto theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, leading police on a pursuit, hit and run, and driving without a license.

Passengers Abel Valdivia, 19, and Antonio Rosales, 18, both of Modesto, were charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest and probation violation.