A Turlock man is in custody for attempted murder after leading Turlock police, the Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force and California Highway Patrol officers on a high-speed pursuit Saturday afternoon.
Juan Zapata, 22, allegedly stole a 2006 Lexus from Emeryville. He was spotted around 11:30 a.m. in Turlock by StanCATT officers, and Turlock police were asked to assist in the arrest. Zapata then fled, said StanCATT Supervisor Sgt. Alan Pittman.
The pursuit made its way toward Hilmar where the suspect collided with a vehicle near Lander Avenue and Williams Avenue. Zapata then fled the scene.
Officers lost sight of the suspect after the collision, but he was later spotted by StanCATT on Highway 99 and the suspect fled once again.
The CHP Commercial Unit rolled out spike strips and the suspect was stopped and taken into custody around 12:30 p.m. on Angelus Street, near Orange Street, in Turlock.
Zapata had multiple outstanding warrants from Stanislaus and Merced Counties, including one in connection with an attempted murder.