CHP pursuit ends in Hemet, 2 suspects apprehended
Riverside sheriff’s deputies and Hemet Police officers assisted at the conclusion of the vehicle pursuit. Will Whelan photo
HEMET – A California Highway Patrol pursuit that began at an unknown location Saturday, July 30 came to a dramatic end in the City of Hemet this afternoon.
The pursuit first entered the Hemet area about 2:45 p.m. and concluded just eight minutes later at 2:53 p.m.
After the vehicle pursuit and a foot pursuit CHP officers apprehended both the driver and passenger of the vehicle.
The driver was identified as Scott David Neitzke, 22, of Hemet. He was captured near where the pursuit terminated on Brown Street south of 2nd Street. The passenger was identified as Gerson Abimael Coca, 22, of San Jacinto. He was located and captured several blocks away on S. Victoria Avenue.
Both men were booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges.
CHP officers pursued the driver and passenger after they fled from the vehicle at the end of the dangerous pursuit. Will Whelan photo
The fleeing subjects were driving a blue Volkswagen Jetta with Washington license plates. Riverside County’s aviation crew in “Star 94” overhead was continually updating the progress of the pursuit.
The aviation crew advised the vehicle was being driven in an extremely reckless manner, without regard for the safety of pursuing officers, pedestrians or other motorists.
The aviation crew advised the vehicle was fleeing at a high rate of speed and failing to stop for stop lights or stop signs, as three CHP officers pursued the fleeing vehicle.
With Hemet/Valle Vista sheriff’s deputies and Hemet Police officer converging on the pursuit to intercept the fleeing motorist if needed, the suspects led pursuing CHP officers down a number of streets before the driver suddenly stopped the vehicle in the middle of the street on Santa Fe Avenue between West 3rd and Main Streets.
The high-speed pursuit came to an end Santa Fe Avenue, between 3rd and Main Streets. Miguel Shannon photo
Once the vehicle came to a stop both the driver and passenger leaped out of the car, fleeing on foot in opposite directions from pursuing CHP officers.
CHP officers quickly apprehended both the driver and passenger several blocks from the point where the pursuit ended.
After the driver was in custody, CHP officers conducted a vehicle search, at which time they reportedly located an assault rifle and an illegal 30 round magazine. They also discovered Neitzke was in possession of narcotics.
A jail record search showed Neitzke was booked on suspicion of numerous felonies, including being a felon in possession of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm with prior convictions, being a felon in possession of a concealed firearm with prior convictions, being a felon in possession of ammunition with prior convictions, being a felon
The pursuit came to a sudden stop in the middle of Santa Fe Avenue, where the driver and passenger fled from the vehicle. Miguel Shannon photo
with a firearm with prior convictions, and recklessly evading police. He was also booked on suspicion of two misdemeanors, including driving on a suspended license and driving an unregistered vehicle. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 2 at an unspecified court.
Coca was booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a concealed firearm with priors, being a felon in possession being a felon in possession of a concealed firearm with priors and being a felon in possession of ammunition. He is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 2 at an unspecified court.
An assault rifle and an illegal 30 round magazine, as well as numerous, suspected, stolen items were found in the vehicle. Miguel Shannon photo
A crowd of curious onlookers formed after the conclusion of the high-speed pursuit. Miguel Shannon photo
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