Turlock City News

Turlock City News

Craigslist Deal for Shoes Include Gunshots, Ends With Police High Speed Chase

Two suspects are in custody after a Craigslist deal for a pair of tennis shoes on Thursday afternoon led to a shooting and high speed pursuit with authorities.

Andrew Dior Mark, 20, and Willie Paul Williams III, 22, were arrested by Turlock police on suspicion of shooting at an occupied vehicle, assault with a firearm, check fraud, grand theft, evading a peace officer, and theft.

Mark and Williams had agreed to meet with someone selling tennis shoes on Craigslist. The transaction was made in Monte Vista Crossings around 1:30 p.m., said Turlock police spokesperson Officer Mayra Lewis.

After the transaction, the seller and his friend became suspicious of the money they had been given. The two checked with a nearby business and found that the money was counterfeit, said Lewis.

The seller was able to located Mark and Williams at a nearby Starbucks, but the two immediately fled in a vehicle and the victims followed.

Around the same time, a female victim had called the Turlock Police Department to report that her vehicle had been stolen from In-N-Out by two suspects she knew.

The Craigslist seller and his friend continued to follow the suspects, who were driving a vehicle matching the description of the stolen vehicle, when one of the suspects fired a gunshot while traveling northbound on Golden State Boulevard, said Lewis.

The victims reported the gunshot and continued following the suspects into Merced County until they ultimately lost sight of them near Shanks Road.

A short time later, undercover officers located the vehicle and a high speed pursuit began on northbound Highway 99, said Lewis. The suspect eventually yielded near Collier Road and Highway 99.

Officers were able to detain the suspects until the investigation had been completed. During the course of the investigation, gunshot casings were found inside the vehicle, said Lewis.

Mark and Williams were both arrested and are being held at the Stanislaus County Jail on $200,000 bail each.

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