A high speed chase occurred near Riverbank this past weekend, with an arrest made in the city.
On Saturday, March 5 at 6 p.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP) was in pursuit of a white Charger driving at over 130 miles per hour that was westbound on Milnes Road from Albers Road. The Sheriff’s Department helicopter assisted overhead and tracked the vehicle.
CHP was unable to keep up due to the high speeds but trailed the suspect vehicle. Authorities said once the vehicle entered Riverbank, the driver began to drive normally. Riverbank Police Service deputies responded and set up spike strips. They triangulated on the vehicle and ended up stopping it at Ward Avenue and Palmer Avenue.
The driver, identified as Juan Navarro, Jr., 30, was taken into custody. A search of the vehicle yielded six pounds of processed marijuana. Deputy Xiong recognized the suspect from prior contacts and knew he was on felony probation for evading and criminal threats. They formulated a plan to do a probation compliance search of his home address in Riverbank.
Deputies and a K9 went to the residence in Riverbank. A second subject was detained when he walked out of the backyard. A probation search of the house yielded two loaded firearms with another firearm found in the backyard; determined to have been stolen. There were also eight partially empty bottles of promethazine. In addition, an ounce of cocaine, a scale and packaging for sales were found during the search. A further search yielded more packaging for sales, more scales and two M1000 fireworks.
Navarro was booked for criminal conspiracy, possession of an explosive device, felon in possession of firearms, possession of a loaded firearm and narcotics for sale, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of cocaine for sale, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of a stolen firearm and child endangerment. CHP also booked him for felony evading.
“Great job by our deputies in a thorough and complete investigation that led to a successful arrest while making our community safer,” stated Riverbank Police Services Chief Ed Ridenour.
