By Bill Lindelof
blindelof@sacbee.com
Lodi police said they have arrested a man they suspect was involved in a dangerous situation involving officers during a traffic stop last week.
Leon Garcia (photo left) was arrested on suspicion of evading police, possession of methamphetamine, auto theft, resisting arrest, possessing a firearm and exhibiting a firearm in the presence of a peace officer.
On May 4, police said that they stopped Garcia for a minor traffic violation at about 1:30 a.m. After receiving Garcia's driver's license information, the officer returned to his patrol car to write a ticket.
Police said that another officer drove up but neither Garcia nor his two passengers were aware of the second officer's arrival. It was then that the second officer allegedly saw Garcia take a handgun from between the seats and begin laughing.
Garcia also began holding the gun in a way that suggested he was waiting for the first officer to return, police said.
In defense of his fellow officer, the later-arriving police officer took a defensive position and ordered Garcia to drop the gun. Startled to see the second officer, Garcia drove away.
Lodi police and California Highway Patrol officers chased Garcia for 23 miles, a pursuit that ended in the town of Thornton, San Joaquin County. Garcia abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot, eluding capture.
Police said Tuesday that Garcia was was eventually located at a home in Wallace, Calaveras County by Lodi police, officers of the Delta Ratt Auto Theft Task Force and the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department.
He was arrested without incident. A search of the home in the 5900 block of Haskell Street in Wallace turned up a handgun that authorities believe Garcia handled on May 4.
Two other stolen weapons and a stolen tractor were also recovered.
Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.
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