Morgan Hill – A 19-year-old man received an unexpected “present” on his birthday Thursday as he was arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of auto theft.
Morgan Hill Police officers also arrested Josue Vergara of Morgan Hill for alleged failure to yield and resisting arrest, according to Morgan Hill police Sgt. David Swing.
Morgan Hill police officer Bill Norman tried to stop Vergara at approximately 8:40am near Community Park, he said, but Vergara allegedly sped away, reaching speeds of 70 mph on Del Monte Avenue.
“He stopped at about Ciolino (Avenue) in the middle of the road and bailed on foot,” Swing added.
Norman followed Vergara, while other Morgan Hill police officers responded to the scene and set up a perimeter around the area. A traffic officer, the entire shift of patrol officers, several detectives and Swing himself responded to the scene, and Vergara was caught in one of the apartments at Villa Ciolino. Ironically, Swing added, Thursday was Vergara’s birthday.
The car Vergara was driving was stolen from Gilroy, Swing said. The Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATTF) was notified, and Morgan Hill police Cpl. Troy Hoefling, who serves on the task force, responded to the scene. If the owner of the car is readily available, in a case like this, Swing said, the department will release the car to the owner; otherwise the car is towed until the owner can pick it up.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
