Teens Lead Police On 12-Mile Solano-Napa County Chase
FAIRFIELD (BCN) - Four Benicia teenagers traveling in a stolen car were arrested Tuesday after leading law enforcement on a pursuit from Fairfield into Napa County, according to Fairfield police.
Solano County Auto Theft Task Force investigators spotted the stolen black 1999 Honda Civic at the Westfield Shopping Center located in the 1300 block of Travis Boulevard at about 3:35 p.m., police said.
Ten minutes later, members of the task force allegedly observed the four suspects - ages 14, 15, 16, and 19 - enter the stolen vehicle and drive away.
Investigators tailed the teenagers, and Fairfield police officers assisted in an attempt to stop the vehicle at West Texas and First streets.
The driver sped away, continuing onto state Highway 12 toward Interstate Highway 80, where police said a California Highway Patrol helicopter provided air support for the pursuit.
The pursuit ended twelve miles later in an unincorporated area of American Canyon where Highway 12 meets state Highway 29, when the car sputtered to a stop from an empty gas tank, police said.
All four teenagers were arrested and booked for possession of a stolen vehicle. The driver, 19-year-old Leonardo Mendoza, was booked on additional felony charges of evading arrest.
The case is being handled by the Solano County Auto Theft Task Force, police said.
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